VIII Bomber Command 13
2 October 1942Official 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.
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.
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.
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
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19059959
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13021818
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19011157
- Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17031027 / O-?
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on Sr. Omer per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on Meault per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 29-Oct-2014. Mission description based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack MbKillop.
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'.