VIII Air Support Command 77

3 October 1943

Description

A combined force of 144 B-26s from: 323BG (36); 322BG (36) 387BG (36) and 386 BG (36) are despatched to attack three German airfields in Holland. 71 aircraft are effective on the German airfield at Amerstedam/Schipol, Holland; 34 aircraft are effective on the German airfield at Woensdrecht, Holland; and 26 aircraft are effective on the German airfield ast Haamstede, Holland. There are no losses or claims but 47 aircraft are damaged.

Mission Details

AMSTERDAM/SCHIPOL (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 108.70
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 64
  • Aircraft damaged: 29

HAAMSTEDE (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 38.71
  • Aircraft sent: 26
  • Aircraft effective: 26
  • Aircraft damaged: 9

WOENSDRECHT (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 50.62
  • Aircraft sent: 46
  • Aircraft effective: 34
  • Aircraft damaged: 9

Connections

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

Aircraft

A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Crescendo". Handwritten caption on reverse: '386BG. 552nd/555th BS.' Printed caption on reverse: 'A/C Name: Crescendo. Left to right from back row: Bomb: Theodore Lehman. Pilot: Charles V. Thornton. C/P: Eugene F. Anderson. R/G: William B. Harris. E/G: Norman L. Bell. A/G: Name unknown at this time.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Crescendo
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron 555th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Jul-2014. 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'.