VIII Bomber Command 103
26 September 1943IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
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
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.
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.
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.
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: 32424605
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-673488
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12095602
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734654
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-729958
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lil One
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lonesome Polecat : The Zoot Suiters
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Holy Terror
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fritz Blitz
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Louise II
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 29-Jun-2015. Added Mission Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Associated Media based on images associated with missions in Freeman, The Mighty Eighth War Diary.
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'.