VIII Bomber Command 164
24 December 1943Description
This mission is directed at V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. The attacks are made between 1330-1510hrs. The mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a force of 277 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG (33); 92BG (20); 303BG (27); 305BG (28); 306BG (25); 351BG (34); 379BG (37); 381BG (26); 384BG (27); 401BG (20). 248 are effective on a target. There are no losses or claims, but 4 airmen aboard returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). 44 aircraft are damaged.
The second element is a force of 196 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division that included: 44BG (24); 93BG (25); 389BG (30); 392BG (28); 445BG (35); 446BG (27); and 448BG (27). 192 are effective on a target. There are no losses, claims or casulaties.
The third element is a force of 249 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that included: 94BG (34); 95BG (42); 96BG (36); 100BG (21); 385BG (18); 388BG (37); 390BG (41); and 447BG (18). This is the first mission for the 447BG. 230 aircraft are effective on a target. There are no aircraft losses but 3 aircraft returning to England have crashes but all crew are OK. 30RTD. 41 aircraft are damaged. There are no claims on Grman fighters.
Mission Details
PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 526 B-17s and 196 B-24s participate, largest raid to date and the first of major strikes against missile sites. 23 V-Weapon sites are attacked. The 447th Bomb Group flies its first mission. 26 heavy bomber groups are now operational.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 645.71
- People wounded in action: 4
- People returned to duty: 10
- Aircraft sent: 259
- Aircraft effective: 248
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 44
PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 499.97
- Aircraft sent: 196
- Aircraft effective: 192
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
PAS DE CALAIS, France
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 598.92
- Aircraft sent: 249
- Aircraft effective: 230
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34338496
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39606925
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group Headquarters (388th Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-396383
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Role/Job: Group Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734654
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Wolf Pack
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Short Stride : Loma Lee : TS
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Situation Normal
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Old coffins
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Patches
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 27-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'.