VIII Bomber Command 49
4 April 1943Description
The Renault armament and motor works at Paris, France are the primary target of this mission. 97 B-17s are despached: 91BG (26); 303BG (23); 305BG (18); and 306BG (30). 85 of the 97 despatched are effective on the target. Fighter resistance is heavy and 4-B-17s are MIA and 16 are damaged. The combined claims of bomber gunners are 47-13-6 on the attacking fighters. The 305BG meets the fiercest resistance, contributing 25-6-5 to the total. The 305th Bomb Group is awarded as Disinguished Unit Citation for this action. The number of enemy aircraft destroyed (47) is probaby an exageration, as the gunners from many bombers are firing at the attacking fighters. However, the numbers give a good indication of the resistance mounted by the Luftwaffe. There is no fighter escort for this mission.
In addition to the main formation, a combined force of 25 B-24s are despatched from 2nd Bomb Wing (44BG and 93BG) to fly a diversion over the North Sea. There are no losses or claims in this group.
Mission Details
Description: DIVERSION
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: Diversional sweeps over the North Sea by B-24s (44th Bomb Group and 93rd Bomb Group)
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 25
Description: RENAULT ARMAMENT WORKS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The 305th Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (1st of 2). No fighter escort on this mission.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 251.00
- People killed in action: 14
- People wounded in action: 3
- People evaded: 2
- Prisoners of war: 26
- Aircraft sent: 97
- Aircraft effective: 85
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 16
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19005080
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39604255
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20942331
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11046125 and O-728226
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-430613
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bomber pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pappy : Good Snuf
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Hunting Club
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Bobs Boudoir : Lady Luck
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Cat-O-Nine Tails
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: JERAVAD Une Petite Peu
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 29-Dec-2014. Description based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop and "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'.