VIII Bomber Command 66

23 June 1943

Description

A combined force of 172 B-17s is despatched from 91BG (13); 92BG (14); 303BG (22); 305BG (21); 306BG (22); 351BG (20); 379BG (20); 381BG (22); and 384BG (18). Also 8 YB-40 gunships from 92BG are interspersed in the formation. The intention was for 140 B-17s to attack the air depot at Villacoublay, France and 40 to attack the German airfield at Bernay St. Martin. However, weather causes the formation to be recalled. There was a serious accident at Ridgewell (381st BG, 533rd BS) when the bomb load of the B-17 #42-30024 "Caroline" being prepared for the mission exploded. The explosion killed 22 men and 1 British civilian and damaged two other B-17s.

Mission Details

BERNAY SAINT MARTIN

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: The 381st Bomb Group loses two aircraft destroyed on the ground when one blows up while being loaded with bombs. 23 killed plus a civilian.

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • People killed in action: 23
  • Aircraft sent: 40
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2

VILLACOUBLAY

Description: AIR DEPOT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Mission recalled due to weather. 92nd Bomb Group complement includes 8 YB-40 gunships.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • Aircraft sent: 140

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 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18057056 / O-724591
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-792594
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
A bomber crew, led by Captain Vern Iverson, of the 96th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30412) nicknamed "Mischief-Maker II". Official caption pritned on image: (GPR-50-1-96)(22-8-43) Capt Iverson's Crew.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-418039
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35304195
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Augerhead
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ol Swayback, Moor Fidite
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew, led by Captain Vern Iverson, of the 96th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30412) nicknamed "Mischief-Maker II". Official caption pritned on image: (GPR-50-1-96)(22-8-43) Capt Iverson's Crew.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Mischief-Maker II
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Winnie The Pooh, Flak Wolf
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Avenger
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorARowe95
Changes
Sources

ARowe95

Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Jan-2015. 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'.