VIII Bomber Command 23

23 November 1942

Official Description

36 HBs hit Saint-Nazaire submarine base for the fifth time in 2 weeks. Cumulative effect of operation on the base is large though the sub shelter shows little permanent damage. HB crews report change in ftr tactics from rear to head-on attack as they learn that the B-17 and B-24 are weak in forward fire-power.



Sir Pound, First Lord of the Admiralty, writes to Gen Eaker praising the effects of US bmr attacks on disorganizing the servicing schedule of the German U-boat bases on the French W coast.

Description

The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the Primary (P) for this mission. A combined force of 50 B-17s despatched from 91BG (10), 303BG (12), 305BG (20) and 306BG (8) to attack this target. 91BG is not able to put any of their group on the target, and only 28 of the 50 are effective. Also, 8 B-24s from 93BG join the attack. There is no fighter escort and German fighter resistance is heavy on the withdrawal and 4 B-17s are listed MIA.

Mission Details

SAINT-NAZAIRE

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: This is the last mission for the 93rd Bomb Group before being sent TDY to North Africa. There is no fighter escort for this mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 8
  • Aircraft effective: 8
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

SAINT- NAZAIRE

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Bomber crews report the Luftwaffe has changed attack tactics and are now attacking the bombers head-on, because of the lack of forward firepower on the bombers. Of the 10 B-17s despatched by 91st Bomb Group, none manage to bomb the target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 68.50
  • People killed in action: 43
  • People wounded in action: 16
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • People returned to duty: 8
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 15
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 50
  • Aircraft effective: 28
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 16

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: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13038250
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728203
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11021358
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17033050
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14055688
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

Sergeant Peter Soria of the 303rd Bomb Group swings the propellor 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 ‘238766.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Naturally most U.S. boys in Britain wish they were back home and Sergt. Peter Soria of the U.S. Air Corps is no exception. He sends a message to that effect to his home at 172 and Hoyne Aven
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Beats Me
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lady Fairweather
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24579) of the 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Thumper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th 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
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: One O'Clock Jump
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Chronology

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on 91BG, 303BG, 305BG, and 306BG At. Nazaire per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Made connection to 93BG on 1st St. Nazaire event and added aircraft type

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on 93BG St. Nazaire per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014, Crew associations; Missing air Crew Report (MACR)16273

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014. Update map location.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014. Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 16273; American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014. Description based on "Mighty Eighth War Diary" 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'.