VIII Bomber Command 42
12 March 1943
(Personnel noted Back Row Left - Right; Front Row L-R)
Ds 6/30/2018
Object Number - UPL 23266 - Lt. Frank Robert Spitznagel and crew. 364th Squadron, 305th BG. Assembled June 18, 1943 in front of their B-17 #42-29633, nicknamed...
Description
The railroad marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville, France is the primary target for 72 B-17s. 91BG (18); 303BG (18) ; 305BG (17) and 306BG (19). Of this formation, 63 are effective on the target. There are no aircraft losses or claims on enemy aircraft in this formation. This is most likely attributed to the fact that 4th Fighter Group has conducted a fighter sweep by 41 Spitfires along the attack route.
In addition 18 B-24s are despatched on a diversion for the attack on Rouen: 44BG (6); 93BG (12). There are no aircraft losses or claims on enemy aircraft in this formation.
Mission Details
Description: DIVERSION
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: Diversion for Rouen/Sotteville raid.
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 18
ROUEN/SOTTEVILLE (Primary)
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: There is no direct fighter escort of bombers for this mission, but Spitfires of 4th Fighter Group perform a sweep of the route, which is significant in achieving a no-loss result for the bombers
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 169.63
- Aircraft sent: 72
- Aircraft effective: 63
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-660982
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 3rd Bomb Division 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-430990
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16034374 on enlisting
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14054504 / O-442691
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
![Ground personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group work on a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5081) nicknamed "Luscious Lady". Image stamped on reverse: 'US Official Photographs.' [stamp], 'Keystone Press.' [stamp] and 'Sacred.' [stamp] A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378959.jpg.webp?itok=aoTNMECP)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Luscious Lady
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 303rd Bomb Group 419th Bomb Squadron 427th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: FDR's Potato Peeler Kids
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Miss Bea Haven
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Yardbird II
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pappy : Good Snuf
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. DEscription added based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
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'.