VIII Bomber Command 47

28 March 1943

Description

The railroad marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville are the primary target. 79 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (22); 303BG (18); 305BG (19); 306BG (20). Of the 79 B-17's despatched 70 are effecrive on the target. One B-17 is MIA and 9 are damaged. The bomber gunners claim 5-4-1 on German aircraft. There is no fighter escort. 

The B-17 formation is to be joined by 24 B-24's: 44BG (11) and 93BG (13). However, this formation is recalled due to weather.

Mission Details

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: B-17 Groups able to bomb before weather closes in target. Greatest tonnage delivered to a single target to date.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 209.00
  • People killed in action: 10
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 79
  • Aircraft effective: 70
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 9

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: The B-24s are recalled due to weather. No fighter escort.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 24

Connections

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

People

Carroll Dayle Briscoe

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 364th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 384th Fighter Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (1st Combat Bomb Wing)
  • Service Numbers: 18052358 / O-441827
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Richard Carlton Browning

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-726994
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Corporal Robert Brud of the 303rd Bomb Group, cleans the propeller of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'The Holidays He Missed. 23 year-old Robert Brud, of 4618 N. Melvina Avenue, is a corporal in the Air Corps. In private life he was with the Howard Radio Corporation of Belmont Avenue. "I hope you enjoyed your holidays" he sends word to his parents and sisters. "I'm busy here, but fine." O.P.S. Robert cleaning props. 47a.' On reverse: Current Affairs

Robert P Brud

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36320628
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Eugene C Clowe

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37202734
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

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

Aircraft

Lieutenant Fort W. Lipe of the 303rd Bomb Group, signals 'V for Victory' from the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress (GN-T, serial number 41-24610 ) nicknamed "Joe Btfsplk II". Passed for publication 16 Dec 1942. Printed caption on reverse: 'Lt. Fort W. Lipe, of the Air Corps, of Irving, Illinois was with the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. He is 23 and is engaged to Miss Edith Kesinger, of 314 North-St., Normal, Illinois. His greeting is silent, optimistic and emphatic. As O.P.S. he sends it in the V sign.' On

41-24610

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

41-24612

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Devil Himself
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Captain Albert W. Dieffenback, a bombardier of the 303rd Bomb Group, admires Bugs Bunny painted onto the nose of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed as censored 9 May 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '14. Captain Albert W. Dieffenbach, of Garrett Park, Md., and the bomber in which he flies as group bombardier.' On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamp].

41-24619

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

42-29537

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron

42-29573

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Two Beauts
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-Dec-2014. Description based on "The Mighty 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'.