VIII Bomber Command 29

13 January 1943

Description

The primary target for this mission is the Atclier d'Hellemmes locomotive works, associated steel works and the railroad marshalling yards at Lille, France. The attacking force is composed of 72 B-17s from: 91BG (13); 303BG (19); 305BG (23) and 306BG (17) of these 64 are effective on the target, 3 are MIA and 15 are damaged. The attacking element is provided a fighter escort, the first time that fighters have been specifically despatched by 8AF to support an 8AF heavy bombing mission.



The attacking formation is supported with a diversion flown by 16 B-24s despatched by 44th Bomb Group.

Mission Details

Description: DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Diversion for raid on Lille, France.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 16

LILLE (Primary)

Description: ATCLIER D'HELLEMMES RR WORKS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 306th Bomb Group/369BS B-17 (serial number 41-24471, "Four of a Kind") collides with 306th Bomb Group/ 369BS B-17 serial number 41-24498 on the way out from the target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 160.60
  • People killed in action: 24
  • People wounded in action: 9
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 15
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 3
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 4
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 64
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 15

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Edward N Bryant

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-724125
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Harvie Lecil Collins

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37101208
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist 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

Clarence S Coomes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19012491
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner

Dale A Davis

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19063626
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Deadman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

41-24562

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sky Wolf
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
Corporal Murray S. Pearl, of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24565) nicknamed "Idaho Potato Peeler". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245656.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Cpl. Murray S. Pearl, serving with the U.S.A.A.F in a bomber squadron, appreciates the heavy fur-lined jerkin issued to him, for, in private life, he was a fur manufacturer at 222 West 28th Stre

41-24565

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Ramblin' Wreck : Idaho Potato Peeler
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
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

41-24567

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Beats Me
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th 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.'

41-24569

  • 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

41-24577

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell's Angels
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Dec-2014. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A Freeman and "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'.