VIII Air Support Command 41
2 September 1943Description
This mission is composed of two elements. The first element is a formation of 36-B-26s from 386BG despatched to bomb the power station at Rouen, France. The target is obscured by clouds, so the formation diverts to bomb the secondary target of the power station at Mazingarbe, France. 35 of the aircraft are effective at Mazingarbe. There are no losses or claims.
The second element is a fromation of 36 B-26s from 387BG despatched to bomb the German airfield at Poix/Nord, France. The target is obscured by clouds so the formation diverts to attempt to bomb the German airfiled of Lille/Nord. That target is also obscured by clouds and the bombers return without bombing. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 3KIA 3POW and 13 are damaged. In addition 5 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA).
Mission Details
Rouen, France
Description: POWER STATION
Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
Notes: 36 B-26s from 386BG are despatched to bomb the power station at Rouen, France. Cloud cover obscured the target and the bombers divert to bomb the seconday target of the power station at Mazingarbe, France.
![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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380230.jpg.webp?itok=rq3kY4oi)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 36
Poix, France
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
Notes: 36 B-26s from 387BG are despatched to bomb the German airfield at Poix/Nord, France. The target is obscured by clouds and the bombers return without bombing. There are no losses or claims.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 36
Lille, France
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
Notes: 36 B-26s from 387BG are despatched to bomb the German airfield at Poix/Nord, France. The target is obscured by clouds so the element diverts to attempt to bomb the German airfield at Lille/Nord but that target is also aboscured by clouds and the bombers return without bombing. 1 aircraft Fails to Return (FTR) 3KIA 3POW and 13 are damaged.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 3
- People wounded in action: 5
- Prisoners of war: 3
- Aircraft sent: 36
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 13
Mazingarbe, France
Description: POWER STATION
Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
Notes: 36 B-17s from 386BG are despatched to bomb the power station at Rouen, France but the target is obscured by clouds. The formation then diverts to the secondary target of the power station at Mazingarbe, France. 35 aircraft are effective on this target. There are no losses or claims.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 49.93
- Aircraft sent: 36
- 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: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15055746
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31134836
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13010670
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-794055
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator / Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-793205
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
![A bomber crerw of the 552nd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder (RG-K, serial number 41-34987). Official caption on image: "(GP-30-27-386)(14 Sept 43)(552 Bomb Sq. Crew)." Printed caption on reverse: '552nd B.S., 386th B.G. A/C Name: _ A/C Ser. No.: 134987, RG-K. From left to right starting in back row: 1) Pilot: Gerold A. Wendt. 2) _. 3) _. 4) E/G: Thornton B. Henry. 5) A/G: Myron O. McKim. 6) R/G: _.' On reverse: From Photo Files Of Chester P. Klier [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413785.jpg.webp?itok=gRbgiU2C)
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 29-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", ROger A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology", Jack McKillop.
Lee Cunningham 29-May-2015. Added Tonnage to mission statistics for Mazingarbe per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 29-May-2015. Edited Mission event title to Lille, France per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freman and "USAAF Combat Chronology", Jack McKillop.
Lee Cunningham 28-May-2015. Edited Rouen Mission event Notes to include diversion of formattion to Mazingarbe power station per "The Mighty Eight War Diary" Roger A. Freeman and "USAAF COmbat Chronology" Jack McKillop.
Lee Cunningham 29-May-2015. Added Mission Event, unit connections and statistics to Mazingarbe event per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary:, Roger A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop.
Lee Cunningham 29-May-2015. Added Mission event, unit connection, statistics to Poix/Nord - Lille/Nord statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology", Jack McKillop.
Lee Cunningham 28-May-2015. Added Mission Event, unit connection and map connection to target of Poix/Nord airfield per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology", Jack McKillop.
Lee Cunningham 28-May-2014. Corrected Mission Events details, target and statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology", Jack Mckillop
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'.