VIII Air Support Command 81

9 October 1943

Description

This mission is the final B-26 mission flown by B-26 Bomb Groups of VIII Air sSupport Command. Both Bomb Groups will transfer to 9th AIr Force (Tactical) for the raminder of the war. The mission is a combined force of 72 B-26s from 323BG (36) and 387BG (36) despatched to bomb the German airfield at Woensdrecht, Holland. 66 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

WOENSDRECHT

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: Last 8th Air Force B-26 mission. This is the last combat mission or the 323rd Bomb Group with 8th Air Force. They have flown 46 missions (includes recalls) in 1,382 sorties and dropped 1,168 tons of bombs. They report 3 aircraft Missing in Action (MIA) with 8th Air Force. They are transferred to 9th Air Force on 16-Oct-43 and fly tactical missions in support of ground forces to the end of the war. Returned to US Dec 45. This is the last combat mission for the 387th Bomb Group with 8th Air Force. They have flown 35 missions (includes recalls) in 1,161 sorties and dropped 1,028 tons of bombs with 8th Air Force. They report two aircraft Missing in Action (MIA) with 8th Air Force. They are transferred to 9th Air Force on 16-Oct-43 and fly tactical missions in support of ground forces until the end of the war. They return to US in July 1945 and inactivated on 7-Nov-45.

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 98.15
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 66
  • Aircraft damaged: 26

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Jul-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'.