VIII Bomber Command 1
17 August 1942
Connection to crew names, aircraft and mission
Object Number - FRE 877 - A bomber crew of the 97th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. They are from left to right: Lieutenant Frank R. Beadle, of Grand Rapids,...
Official Description
12 B-17’s of 97th Bomb Group, escorted by Spitfires, launch first Army Air Force Heavy Bomber attack from UK against Western Europe. Target is Rouen-Sotteville Marshalling Yard. Sergeant Kent R West shoots down German fighter, thus becoming the first Eighth Air Force gunner to receive credit for a combat kill.
Description
The US 8AF launches its first strategic bombing raid of the war, sending 12 Boeing B-17Es of the 97BG on a strike against the railyards of Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France, while another six fly a diversionary route. The attacking force is split into two formations: the first led by CO 97BG COL Frank A. Armstrong, Jr. aboard Butcher Shop (41-2578), the second led by CG VIII BC BG Ira C. Eaker aboard Yankee Doodle (41-9023). The strike is intended to support the upcoming Operation JUBILEE with its amphibious landings on Dieppe, France.
The strike sees the 8AF’s gunners achieve their first aerial victory when a FW-190A-3 (4332) piloted by Leutnant Herbert Horn (I/JG2) is shot down by SSGT Kent R. West, ball turret gunner on the Birmingham Blitzkrieg (41-9100).
Mission Details
ROUEN/SOTTEVILLE
Description: 12 B-17s of the 97th Bomb Group are dispatched to bomb railway marshaling yards at Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France. The 97th Bomb Group took off from Grafton Underwood at 16:27 and bombed the target between 17:39 and 17:46. Accuracy was poor. Despite worst fears, only two bombers sustained superficial damage during the mission.
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Strike Force: Boeing B-17E 41-2578 340BS/97BG Butcher Shop Boeing B-17E 41-9125 342BS/97BG Prowler Boeing B-17E 41-9026 342BS/97BG Baby Doll Boeing B-17E 41-9042 342BS/97BG Berlin Sleeper Boeing B-17E 41-9043 342BS/97BG Peggy D Boeing B-17E 41-9017 342BS/97BG Heidi Ho Boeing B-17E 41-9023 414BS/97BG Yankee Doodle Boeing B-17E 41-9089 414BS/97BG Johnny Reb Boeing B-17E 41-9103 414BS/97BG Dixie Demo Boeing B-17E 41-9021 414BS/97BG Big Bitch Boeing B-17E 41-9030 414BS/97BG Big Punk Boeing B-17E 41-9100 414BS/97BG Birmingham Blitzkrieg The lead aircraft of the 340th Bomb Squadron was Butcher Shop (41-2578) flown by Captain Paul W Tibbets, Jr. (Commanding Officer 340th BS) and co-piloted by Colonel Frank A Armstrong, Jr. (Commanding Officer 97th BG) in the first Flight group of six Fortresses. The remaining five Fortresses in the first Flight group were from the 342nd Bomb Squadron. The lead aircraft of the 414th Bomb Squadron was Yankee Doodle (41-9023) flown Captain Rudolph E Flack (Commanding Officer 414th BS, Grafton Underwood Base Commander and Mission Commander), co-piloted by 2nd Lieutenant John R Dowswell and carried Brigadier General Ira C Eaker (Commanding Officer, 8th Air Force Bomber Command) as an Observer in the second Flight group of six Fortresses. The remaining five Fortresses in the second Flight group were from the 414th Bomb Squadron. Staff Sergeant Kent West, Ball Turret Gunner aboard Birmingham Blitzkrieg (41-9100) claimed the only aerial victory of the mission. Shooting down an FW-190 flown by Leutnant Herbert Horn of Jagdeschwader 2.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 18.45
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
- Aircraft sent: 12
- Aircraft effective: 12
- Aircraft damaged: 2
DIVERSION
Description: 6 B-17 Flying Fortresses flew a diversionary route.
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Diversion Force: Boeing B-17E 41-9085 340BS/97BG Jarrin' Jenny
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 6
FIGHTER ESCORT
Description: Fighter escort for the bomber force was provided by RAF Spitfires.
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Notes: 3 aircraft were shot down by enemy fighters of Jagdgeschwader 26
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-437895
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
![Film star turned Intellegence Officer Gene Raymond of the 97th Bomb Group questions his comrades following a raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.', '216129' [ Censor no] and 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S. FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT Associated Press photo shows: Gene Raymond ex-Hollywood film star now intelligence office in the U.S. Army Air Corps questions Sgt. Kent West of West Blocton, ALA. Rear Gunner who shot down a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379316.jpg.webp?itok=A9eWGp_w)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34198623
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Aircraft
Revisions
Amends to Sotteville/Rouen Mission notes suggested by User RickFlack ( Son of Rudolph Flack) based on information in his father's records.
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by Carter / Mueller, the Office of Air Force History,
Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Diary
Amended and information added by GBlume to put mission narrative and notes into plain English
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by Carter / Mueller, the Office of Air Force History,
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Rouen statistics per 'The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 19-Oct-2014. Mission details were garnered from "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" of Roger A Freeman; "Losses of the 8th and 9th AIr Forces" Stan Bishop & John A Hey MBE. Mission descriptions authored by Mr. Cunningham based on research from the sources listed.
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'.