VIII Bomber Command 22

22 November 1942

Official Description

11 HBs attack Lorient-Keroma 17 U-boat base.

Description

The U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the Primary (P) target of this mission. A combined force of 68 B-17s despatched from 91BG (18), 303BG (18) 305BG (23) and 306BG (9) against the target but a 10/10 could cover prevents all but 11 from 303BG from bombing. The force is also joined by 8 B-24s from 93BG, but they also are prevented from bombing by cloud cover. This is the first bombing mission for 305BG even though they returned to Grafton Underwood with their bomb loads.

Mission Details

LORIENT/ KEROMAN (Primary)

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Cloud cover prevents 91st Bomb Group, 305th Bomb Group and 306th Bomb Group from bombing. There is no fighter escort for this mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 22.00
  • Aircraft sent: 68
  • Aircraft effective: 11

LORIENT/ KEROMAN (Primary)

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Cloud cover prevents bombing.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 8

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: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-659653
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13031181
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661444
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20906856
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Staff Sergeant Clarence S. Commes of the 303rd Bomb Group, examines the machine-gun on his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 9 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'When we asked S/Sgt Clarence S. Commes of 3612, Bret Hark Court, Sacramento, California, what he did in private life he answered "Whatever I could find to do." Today with the U.S. Air Force in Britain he has a man-size job as a gunner who has taken part in 16 raids. For this he has been awarded the Air Medal and 2 clusters. Aged 25
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19012491
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lady Fairweather
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
The tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-V, serial number 41-24569) nicknamed "Memphis Tot" of the 427th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, shot down near Zwolle. Handwritten caption on reverse: '124569. Memphis Tot. SD. 4/2/43. 427BS. Near Zwolle.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Memphis Tot
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-D, serial number 41-24577) nicknamed "Hell's Angel" of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for publication 21 Aug 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hell's Angel. L1721/29.' Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A Flying Fortress wearing the new recognition symbol of the U.S.A.A.F. and fitted with toughened glass "windows" in the air.' On reverse: The Aeroplane Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell's Angels
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hellcat Agnes : No Monkey Business
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
Staff Sergeant Richard C. Fortunak of the 303rd Bomb Group, checks his machine gun on his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 25 Jan 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'How The Boys Live And Work At Flying Fortress Station In England. Wide World Photo Shows:- Staff Sgt. Richard C. Fortunak, 1260 West 17th Avenue, Gary, Ind., Waist Gunner in a Fortress, which he and his crew mates have named "Hoosier Kid", adjusts gun in his turret. WW/ALA. 26-1-43.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Cens
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The 8 Ball
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Chronology

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014. Mission description based on "Mighty Eighth War Dairy" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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'.