VIII Bomber Command 13

2 October 1942

Official Description

Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte is bombed by 30 B-17’s. A small group attacks Saint— Omer/Longuenesse A/F. Some 400 ftr escorts provide cover which is frequently penetrated by German ftrs. The B-17’s show remarkable defensive strength.

Description

97BG and 301BG together despatch 43 B-17s to bomb the Avion Portez aircraft factory ar Meaulte, France; 97BG also despatches 6 B-17s to attack the German airfield Longuenesse at St. Omer, France which is intended as a diversion to the main attack at Meaulte, France. The diversion is escorted by 23 Spitfires from the newly formed 4th Fighter Group. In addition, 12 DB-7 (A-20) from 15th Bomb Squadron attack a ship at the docks of Le Harve, France.

Mission Details

LE HARVE

Description: PORT AREA

Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc

Notes: A-20s attack a ship at dock in Le Harve, France. This is the last mission for the 15th Bomb Squadron. It will be reassigned to the 12th Air Force. 8th Air Force discontinues use of A-20, DB-7 in bombing raids. Light and medium bombing by these types of aircraft will be taken over by 9th AF.

A bomber crew of the 301st Bomb Group with their A-20 Havoc after being awarded medals. From left to right, they are Sergeant B.B. Cunningham of Tupelo, Missouri; Sergeant R.L. Golay of Fredonia, Kansas; Second Lieutenant M. Dorton of Long Beach; and Major Charles C. Kegelman. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 11 Jul 1942.' [stamp], 'Not to be published until 12/7/42.' [stamp], 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'USA (NIR)CCC.' [written annotation] and '209807.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on rev

15th Bomb Squadron

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 11.00
  • Aircraft sent: 12
  • Aircraft effective: 11

MEAULTE

Description: AVION PORTEZ AIRCRAFT FACTORY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: A large force is dispatched against this aircraft factory in France.

301st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im

97th Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 68.75
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 4
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 9
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 43
  • Aircraft effective: 32
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 5

SAINT OMER

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This is a diversionary raid in support of primary target of Meault.

Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im

97th Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 12.50
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 5
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 4
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 6
  • Aircraft effective: 6

Connections

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

People

Arthur N Bouthillier

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11043898
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Thomas Joseph Coburn

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13008410
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Stanislav Albion Komarek

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Robert Hannover Long

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Charles Joshua Paine

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14028454 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

41-24397

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Phyllis
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 352nd Bomb Squadron

41-24416

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Black Diamond Express
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron 359th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Chronology

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on Sr. Omer per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on Meault per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 29-Oct-2014. Mission description based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack MbKillop.

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'.