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

Major Eugene Allen Romig, an airman of the 303rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257539.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Holder of the D.F.C. and Air Medal, Major Eugene Allen Romig, aged 25, is now serving with the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain as a pilot. His home address is 910 Troy Place, N.W. Canton, Ohio, and in civil life he was a student. U 76. Not to be published before April 20, 1943.'

Eugene Allen Romig

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Combat Bomb Wing 303rd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 457th Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (351st Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-21856
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer
Sergeant Charles L. Roth, a ground crewman of the 303rd Bomb Group, fixes the nose turret gun of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24567) nicknamed "Beats Me!?'. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 16 Dec 1942. [stamp] and ‘238765.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'HE WANTS A STEAK IN CHICAGO. 20-year-old Sgt Charles L. Roth, of 6533 Meneriva Avenue, has an army job which suits him down to the ground - or up in the air. In c

Charles L Roth

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18069118
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Frank A Saunders

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-437647
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

George T Senior

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13097329
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Charles C Sheridan

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-408859
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

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'.