VIII Air Support Command 55

9 September 1943

Description

The coastal defenses along the French coast near Boulogne are the targets for 217 B-26s from: 322BG (54); 323BG (54); 386BG (55) and 387BG (54). These operational capacity of each of these Groups has been increased by 50%. 202 aircraft are effective on their targets. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-17KIA 2POW and 2 others are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR)one in a crash at takeoff 5KIA 1RTD and another battle damaged one in a crashlanding upon return-6RTD. 21 others are damaged. 8 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA).

Mission Details

BOULOGNE

Description: COASTAL DEFENSES

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: 386th (?) Bomb Group has one crash on take-off because of fog. 387th Bomb Group has one crash-land on return - pilot injured.

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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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

  • People killed in action: 22
  • People wounded in action: 8
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • People returned to duty: 7
  • Aircraft sent: 217
  • Aircraft effective: 202
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 24

Connections

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

People

Philip L Brinson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 450th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34208695
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Edgar H Brown

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-662431
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Joseph M Bruck

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-795352
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Acle B Caywood

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35265263
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Calvin C Chalker

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

41-18058

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 450th Bomb Squadron

41-31697

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Duck Butt
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron

41-31755

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

41-31908

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 556th Bomb Squadron

41-31911

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Jun-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'.