VIII Bomber Command 134
19 November 1943Description
The primary target for this mission was Gelsenkirchen, Germany by adverse weather conditions and failure of the PFF equipment caused al formations to seek out targets of opportunity along the German-Dutch border. The force was composed of 168 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that included: 95BG (17); 100BG (21); 390BG (23); 388BG (19); 96BG (42); 94BG (18); and 385BG (21). Also included were 6 B-17s from 482BG equipped with PFF Oboe equipment - 3 of these abort. This is the last mission by 8th Air Force using PFF Oboe equipment, form now on they will use H2S and H2X radar on blind-boming operations. Only 1 aircraft is lost after sustaining a mid-air collision during assemebly and crashing at Redinfield, UK 10KIA. There are no other losses or claims.
Mission Details
GELSENKIRCHEN (Primary)
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Includes 3 of 6 B-17s from 482nd Bomb Group equipped with Pathfinder (PFF). Equipment malfunctions and mission is forced to attack targets of opportunity along the Dutch/German border. One loss (95th Bomb Group) occurred as result of crash just after take-off. None of 94th Bomb Group despatch is effective on the target. This spells the end for Oboe-equipped missions. The 8th Air Force will now rely on H2S and H2X aircraft-carried radar for blind bombing missions. Oboe will be used by 9th Air Force with the B-26 with great success.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 281.30
- People killed in action: 10
- Aircraft sent: 167
- Aircraft effective: 130
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 802nd Reconnaissance Group (SP) 333rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: AO677594
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36194889
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16078033 and O-673750
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-676156
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36115989 and O-681239
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Blondie III
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Floozie Flossy | Mary Ruth | The WeWa Special
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 36th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Superstitious Al-o-ysius
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 13-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
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'.