VIII Air Support Command 50

6 September 1943

Description

Railroad marshalling yards are again the targets for this two-element mission. The first element is a formation of 72 B-26s from: 387BG (36) and 386BG (36) despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. 66 are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims.



The second element is a formation of 72 B-26s from 322BG (36) and 323BG (36) despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Ghent, Belgium. The mission was recalled when the planned fighter escort was grounded by weather. There are no losses or claims, but 3 aircraft are damaged.

Mission Details

GHENT

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: Ghent mission recalled because weather grounds fighters.

322nd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'

323rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft damaged: 3

ROUEN

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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

386th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

387th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 99.00
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 66

Connections

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Aircraft

41-31755

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Ye Olde Crocke
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-May-2015. Correcting the Ghent statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-May-2015. Added tonnage dropped and aircraft effective to Rouen event statistics 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'.