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

Bernard Jurosek

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36168057
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles E. Marion, commanding officer of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed as censored, but then cleared for publication 9 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Here seen taking his cap from the rack at his British base Lt. Col. (Pilot) Charles E. Marion is commander of his group in the U.S. Air Force and has taken part in 11 raids on the Hun. Educated at Michigan University he has made the Army his career and at 32 years of age holds the Silver Star and Air Medal. His home is with his pare

Charles E Marion

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 1st Bomb Division 303rd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-021505
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Assistant Chief of Staff; Director of Operations; CO

Donald A Mayo

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31044749
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Ewell R McCright

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727112
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Allan D Mitchell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661533
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

41-24635

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The 8 Ball MK II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Two airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Iza Vailable". Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency, 'Sacred' and U.S. Official Photograph O.W.I. [Stamps].

42-2973

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