VIII Bomber Command 25

12 December 1942

Official Description

17 HBs bomb Rouen-Sotteville M/Y. Bad weather prevents large attack planned for air installations at Romilly-sur-Seine.

Description

This mission is composed of two elements. First element: The German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France is the Primary (P) target for a force of 78 B-17s despatched from 91BG (19), 303BG (20), 305BG (21) and 306BG (18). However, the target is obscured by clouds so the force attacks the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville as a target of last resort (L), but clouds frustrate bombing and only 17 aircraft are effective and none of the 21 despatched by 305BG are able to bomb.

Second element: A force of 12 B-24s are despatched on a diversionary attack on the German airfield of Drucat at Abbeville, France. These are joined by 6 B-17s despatched by 11th Combat Crew Replacement Center. The airfield is not bombed.

Mission Details

Description: DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 6

ABBEVILLE/ DRUCAT (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Cloud prevented bombing.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 12

ROMILLY-SUR-SEINE (Primary)

Description: AIR DEPOT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 305th Bomb Group could not bomb because of cloud cover.

Mission Statistics

  • People wounded in action: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 21
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

ROUEN/ SOTTEVILLE (Last Resort)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: No fighter escort for any of the elements in this mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 40.00
  • People killed in action: 2
  • People wounded in action: 8
  • People evaded: 9
  • Prisoners of war: 9
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 19
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 8
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 60
  • Aircraft effective: 17
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Connections

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People

  • 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 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17033050
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6274614
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11020638
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728211
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

Ground crewmen of the 303rd Bomb Group work on the engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Jerry Jinx". Handwritten caption on reverse: '303BG'.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jerry Jinx : What's Up Doc
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Yehudi
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Sergeant Vernon E. Carlson, of the 303rd Bomb Group, paints the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Holy Mackeral". Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: '"Everything under control" is the optimistic message sent by Sgt. Vernon E. Carlson of the Air Corps, whose home is at 1431 N. Mayfield Ave, Chicago. He used to be with the Goetz Elevator Co. He is 29 and unmarried. O.P.S. shows him painting "Holy Mackerel" on a plane.' On reverse: Current Affairs Ltd, US Army Press C
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Holy Mackerel
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Lieutenant Fort W. Lipe of the 303rd Bomb Group, signals 'V for Victory' from the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-T, serial number 41-24610 ) nicknamed "Joe Btfsplk II". Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Lt. Fort W. Lipe, of the Air Corps, of Irving, Illinois was with the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. He is 23 and is engaged to Miss Edith Kesinger, of 314 North-St., Normal, Illinois. His greeting is silent, optimistic and emphatic. As O.P.S. he sends it in the V sign.' On
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Joe Btfsplk II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Snap! Crackle! Pop!
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th 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 Rouen per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 9-Nov-2014. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman; "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop.

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'.