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

  • 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
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 661496
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-729475
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
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].
  • 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 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-435877
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

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'.