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 487th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 13011194
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner; Observer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17020247 / O-728212
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Navigator
![Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group play cards between raids. A censor has obscured the insignia on the airman's jacket. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], Passed for publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257513.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Standing on left watching a card game "somewhere in England", 2nd Lieut (Pilot) Richard L. Kruse, of 990 Clark Rd. Ypsilanti, Michigan, has a right to express his views on labour questions. Having won the Air Medal and two](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378844.jpg.webp?itok=4YkHobFO)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 661496
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
![An airman of the 303rd Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '6-9-43 C.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407606.jpg.webp?itok=WK_uiDmS)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 303rd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Group 379th Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-364599
- Highest Rank: General
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39604255
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Hunting Club
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th 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'.