VIII Bomber Command 103

26 September 1943
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3352) nicknamed "Virgin's Delight" flies in formation with fellow aircraft of the 94th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: ''53031 AC - Boeing B-17's in flight revealing new bomb racks U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO - 1361st Photographic Squadron Aerospace Audio-Visual Services (MAC).' First handwritten caption on reverse: '26/9 no Bombing- weather. 26/9/43' Second handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17 Flying Fortress 6737. 3 of 6 pics.' media-379260.jpg FRE 824 A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3352) nicknamed "Virgin's Delight" flies in formation with fellow aircraft of the 94th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: ''53031 AC - Boeing B-17's in flight revealing new bomb racks U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO - 1361st Photographic Squadron Aerospace Audio-Visual Services (MAC).' First handwritten caption on reverse: '26/9 no Bombing- weather. 26/9/43' Second handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17 Flying Fortress 6737. 3 of 6 pics.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 824 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3352) nicknamed "Virgin's Delight" flies in formation with fellow aircraft of the 94th Bomb Group. Printed...

Description

This mission was composed of four elements. The first element was a combined force of 55 B-17s from 91BG (19); 381BG (18); and 351BG (18) that were dispatched to attack industrial targets in and around Paris, France. As the formation approached the enemy coast the weather deteriorated and the element was recalled There were no losses or claims by this element, but 9 aircraft were damaged, one beyond repair.



The second element was a combined force of 84 B-17s dispatched from: 94BG (18); 96BG (22); 385BG (23); and 388BG (21) to bomb the German airfield at Reims/Champagne. Clouds and weather frustrated the bombing effort. The 18 from 94BG and the 23 from 385BG were unable to bomb. 40 aircraft were effective on the target. 1 aircraft sustained a mid-air collision over Bulphan, UK 10KIA 1RTD (parachuted). 1 other was Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR).



The third element was a combined force of 63 B-17s from 95BG (21); 100BG (21); 390BG (21) dispatched to bomb the vehicle factories at Meulon Les Mureaux and Citroen, France. This formation was also recalled due to weather. There were no aircraft losses or claims, but one airman was KIA in a returning aircraft.



The fourth element was a formation of 37 B-24s from 44BG (3) and 392BG (24) that were dispatched to fly a diversion for the formations which were to attack Paris and these were also recalled. There were no losses or claims.





















Mission Details

Description: DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
  • Aircraft sent: 37

MEULAN/ LES MUREAUX

Description: MEULON LES MUREAUX and CITROEN FACTORIES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Recalled due to weather.

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 63

PARIS (Primary)

Description: UNKNOWN TARGET

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Abandoned due to weather.

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 55
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

REIMS/ CHAMPAGNE (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Despatch from 94th Bomb Group and 385th Bomb Group unable to bomb because of weather.

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 118.00
  • People killed in action: 20
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 84
  • Aircraft effective: 40
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 21

Connections

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39398025
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30207) nicknamed "Big Red.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Bailey Crew.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-793713
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-669955
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16066310 / O-735023
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-523642
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Maryland, My Maryland : Billie
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (XK-D, serial number 42-29557) of the 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group takes off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Yankee Gal
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 366th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Winsome Winn II
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Queen Jeanie : Damn Yankee II
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Dallas Rebel
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorwilliam henry
Changes
Sources

Correct typos

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 29-Jun-2015. Added Mission Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Associated Media based on images associated with missions in Freeman, The Mighty Eighth War Diary.

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'.

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