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: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-688966
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 487th Bomb Group 839th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-808455
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15195620
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner; Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-808555
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Rhapsody in Flak
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lonesome Polecat : The Zoot Suiters
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Holy Terror
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Tender Tit Tillie / Ragin' Red II
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 487th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron 837th Bomb Squadron
![A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group return to base after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Flak Hack 8". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 21 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289357.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘THE FORTRESSES GO OUT AGAIN. US bombers day raid on German works. A Brilliant series of pictures secured by our cameraman when the USAAF kept up the offensive from an English base against a factory in western Germany, they had a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380400.jpg.webp?itok=6x888O8T)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Eight Ball : 8 Ball : Flak Hack
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron 571st 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'.