VIII Bomber Command 30

23 January 1943
media-49623.jpeg UPL 49623 Jerry Dobbins

http://www.303rdbg.com/news/2012-07-15.html (The Molesworth Pilot 303rd Bomb Group Newsletter); story by Dawn Furbush

Object Number - UPL 49623 - Jerry Dobbins

Description

The port area and U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the primary target for this mission. 305th Bombardment Group is selected as the lead group, but condensation on the bombsight of the lead aircraft in the Group prevents the 305BG from bombing Lorient and they divert to the secondary target of the U-Boat pens at Brest, France. 305BG despatches 22 B-17s and 18 are effective on Brest, France. The remainder of the force despatched to Lorient is comprised of 17 B-17s from 306BG; 13 B-17s from 91BG and 21 B-17s from 303BG. One of the B-17s from 303BG joins th 305BG attack on Brest. A total of 35 B-17s are effecrtive on the target at Lorient, France. 5 aircraft MIA, 2 Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR).



Also, the 44th Bomb Group despatches 17 B-24s to fly a diversion for the force attacking Lorient, France.

Mission Details

Description: DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 17

BREST (Secondary)

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 305th Bomb Group was lead group on the attack to Lorient, but bombed the secondary target at Brest because condensation on the bombsight of the lead aircraft the Group could not hit the primary at Lorient. One of the bombs dropped on Brest pierced the tunnel joining the arsenal to the port. One B-17 from 303rd Bomb Group also bombed Brest.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 45.25
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 22
  • Aircraft effective: 19

LORIENT/ KEROMAN (Primary)

Description: U-BOAT PENS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: No fighter escort on this mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 86.00
  • People killed in action: 31
  • People wounded in action: 24
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 10
  • People died in captivity: 1
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 7
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 7
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 51
  • Aircraft effective: 35
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2

Connections

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

People

Edward Albert Bradford

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13049248
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Dale F Brandfas

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17030785
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Alvin A Bridges

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34235254
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

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

Hudson Choice

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20906856
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

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
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.'

41-24579

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Thumper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

41-24580

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hellcat Agnes : No Monkey Business
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

41-24584

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Susfu
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 20-Dec-2014. Descritpion based on "The Migthy 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'.

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