VIII Bomber Command 66
23 June 1943Description
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.
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.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: None
- Aircraft sent: 140
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-434015
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16060584
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner / Radioman
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32489676
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-342066
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Stric Nine : City of Albuquerque
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 5-Jan-2015. DEscription based on "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'.