VIII Bomber Command 101

23 September 1943

Description

This mission was actually flown by two different formations as two missions but it only went into the records as a single 8th Air Force mission. The combined force was composed of 91 B-17s from 92BG (17); 303BG (19); 306BG (18); 379BG (19) and 384BG (18) despatched to bobm the port area of Nantes, France and the German airfield of Rennes/St. Jacques, France. 61 of the 91 were affective on the Nantes port area. No aircraft were lost from the Nantes formation but one aircraft was Damaged Beyond Repair (DRB) in a crash landing upon return 10RTD. 10 airmen were wounded. 19 of 91 were effective on the airfield at Rennes/ St. Jacques, France. Two aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 17POW 3EVD. 2 airmen were wounded. 26 aircraft were damaged.

Mission Details

Description: DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Diversion for raids on Nantes and Rennes/St. Jacques, France.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 26

NANTES (Primary)

Description: HARBOUR INSTALLATION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: First occasion that two Heavy bomber missions are flown in the same day.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 174.00
  • People killed in action: 3
  • People evaded: 7
  • Prisoners of war: 7
  • People returned to duty: 7
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 61
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 16

RENNES/ST. JACQUES (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 57.00
  • People killed in action: 7
  • People evaded: 4
  • Prisoners of war: 9
  • Aircraft sent: 19
  • Aircraft effective: 19
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Connections

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

People

Philip E Higdon

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-794662
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Headshot of man wearing a shirt with insignia on the collar looking directly at camera

John Thomas Ingles

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-794415
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Carl Warner Janes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15107381
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
ten men in Air Force uniform posed in front of an airplane. Five men standing to the rear, three men kneeling in front. Flying gear is laying in front of kneeling men

James Henry Kelly

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665313
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Headshot of smiling man wearing military uniform and cap. There are medal-ribbons and an eagle pinned to left side of jacket. He is looking directly at the camera and smiling

Rudolph Alfred Martin

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-675361
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot

Aircraft

B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group fly in formation over another B-17 (WW-J, serial number 42-5086) during a medal ceremony for Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith. Passed for publication 16 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Highest American Award For U.S. Air Gunner. 15.7.43. Col. Henry L. Stimson, U.S. Secretary of War to-day presented the Congressional Medal of Honour - America's highest award - equivalent to Britain's V.C. to Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith, for his bravery during a raid on St.

42-5086

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wahoo II
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (BN-U, serial number 42-5177) nicknamed "Fast Woman (Fast Worker II)". Image via Pete Bowens.

42-5177

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fast Woman : Fast Worker MK II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron

42-5221

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shades Of Stricnine : Son
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron

42-5360

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Old Faithful : War Bride
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Geezil". Handwritten caption on reverse: '369BS. Kneeling centre - Lt. Ed Malizewski (P). Kneeling Rt - Lt. Klette (CP). Standing middle - Lt. Schulstad (N).'

42-5404

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Geezil
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-Jun-2015. Added Mission Description 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'.