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

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-727194
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33190106
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • 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: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

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].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Iza Vailable
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
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.
  • 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: Yardbird II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Yankee Doodle Dandy
  • 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'.