VIII Bomber Command 106

2 October 1943

Description

This mission is composed of three elements, two or which are directed at the industrial areas of Emden, Germany and the other at the German airfield at Woensdrecht, Holland. The first element is a formation of 163 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division which consist of: 91BG (16); 92BG (19); 303BG (19); 305BG (17); 306BG (18); 351BG (19); 379BG (17); 381BG (19); 38BG (17); and (2) PFF equipped B-17s from 482BG. 159 aircraft are effective on the target. 1 B-17 from 303BG Failed to Return (FTR) 11KIA; 2 airmen in returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA); 23 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claim 2-0-4 of attacking enemy aircraft. 

The second element is a formation of 186 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that consists of: 94BG (23); 95BG (22); 96BG (42); 100BG (26); 385BG (25); 388BG (21); and 390BG (27). The 96BG is now operating as double strength. 180 aircraft are effective on the targets. 1 B-17 from 388BG Failed to Return (FTR) 10KIA; 11 aircraft are damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claim 13-6-8 of attacking enemy aircraft. 

The third element consists of 21 B-24s from 392BG dispatched to bomb the German airfield at Woensdrecht, Holland. The target is completely obscured by clouds and none of the formation is able to bomb. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Led by two Pathfinder (PFF) B-17 from 483rd Bomb Group/813BS. 96th Bomb Group despatches the greatest number (42) for a single Bomb Group to date. First time more than 1,000,000lbs of bombs are drooped on a single target, in fact, the total is 1,906,500lbs

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 506.15
  • People killed in action: 11
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 13
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 6
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 8
  • Aircraft sent: 186
  • Aircraft effective: 180
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 11

Description: INDUSTRIAL AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Led by two Pathfinder (PFF) B-17 from 483rd Bomb Group/813BS.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 447.10
  • People killed in action: 10
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 165
  • Aircraft effective: 161
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 23

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Obscured by clouds, mission abandoned.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
  • Aircraft sent: 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: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18079857
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Major John C. Egan, of the 100th Bomb Group, wearing a fez on his return from the Regensburg Shuttle mission. Associated News Story: '"Arabian Knights Return": Men Who Made Shuttle-Bombing Raid On Regensburg. Wearing red fezes and carrying Arabian knives, the first contingent of airmen who participated in the shuttle-bombing raid on Regensburg returned from their temporary North African bases yesterday, August 22 - five days after the heavy attack on the Nazis' largest aircraft Messerschmidt factory. No b
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-399510
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Squadron Commander
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane. Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  Some of the men are  wearing  cold weather flying gear.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 0–672341
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-735190
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Buck-Shot
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kentucky Babe aka Ain’t it Gruesome
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Venus
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Speed Ball
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
42-29925 "The Duchess" 351st BG, 510th BS
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributorwilliam henry
Changes
Sources

Correct typos

Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Jul-2014. Added Bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to 1stBD statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Jul-2014. Added Bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to 3rdBD statistics per "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'.