VIII Bomber Command 69

28 June 1943
media-24387.jpeg UPL 24387 Buffalo Evening News photo about the St. Nazaire raid on 28.06.43. Featuring Lt. Frank R. Spitznagel, 305th BG, 364th Squadron. Lt. Dave Cox; Lt. Robert Metcalf

Doug Spitznagel

Object Number - UPL 24387 - Buffalo Evening News photo about the St. Nazaire raid on 28.06.43. Featuring Lt. Frank R. Spitznagel, 305th BG, 364th Squadron. Lt. Dave Cox; Lt....

Description

The primary specific target for this mission are the lock gates at St. Nazaire, France to be attacked by two separate formations and also another force is despatched to bomb the German airfield at Beaumon Le Roger, France. A formation of 120 B-17s of 1st Bomb Wing from: 91BG (20); 92BG (16); 305BG (21); 306BG (21); 351BG (20); and 381BG (22) is despatched to St. Nazaire, France. Of the 13 aircraft despatched by 92BG 6 are YB-40 gunships. This force gets a figher escort part way along the route. German fighter opposition is moderate and flak is moderate. 104 of the 120 B-17s despatched are effective on the target. 5 B-17s are MIA (4 from 351BG). The bomber gunners claim 28-6-8 of the enemy aircraft. 

A second formation of 71 B-17s of 4th Bomb Wing from: 94BG (13); 95BG (21); 96BG (16); and 100BG (21) is despatched to St. Nazaire to attack approximately 15 minutes later that the the first formation. Because of the time lag, fighter resistance is light. 54 of the 71 B-17s despatched are effective on the target. 3 B-17 are MIA, all three sustaining damage from AA fire which punctures the fuel tanks and all three run out of gas and are forced to ditch into the English Channel. All three crews are rescued by ASR. There are no claims on enemy aircraft by this formation. 

A force of 50B-17s from: 303BG (18); 379BG (14); and 382BG (18) is despathed to bomb the German airfield at Beaumont Le Roger, France. This formation gets a fighter escort by Spitfires from the RAF. 43 of the 50 B017s despatched are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims in this formation.

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This 1st Bomb Wing element had no fighter support, but suffered no losses or casualties.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 103.20
  • Aircraft sent: 50
  • Aircraft effective: 43
  • Aircraft damaged: 6

Description: LOCKS and GATES PORT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This 4th Bomb Wing element receives RAF Spitfire escort part way to the target. Some of the B-17s in this element were equipped with the new long range "Tokyo Tanks" , the first time they were used. All 3 95th Bomb Group Missing in Action (MIA) aircraft crews were saved by ASR.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 102.53
  • People wounded in action: 7
  • People returned to duty: 30
  • Aircraft sent: 71
  • Aircraft effective: 54
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3

Description: LOCKS and GATES PORT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This 1st Bomb Wing element receives P-47 fighter escort part way to the target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 197.47
  • People killed in action: 31
  • People wounded in action: 9
  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 19
  • Aircraft sent: 120
  • Aircraft effective: 104
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged: 57

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-729958
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Six men standing to the rear and four men kneeling in front.  Some of the men are  wearing  cold weather flying gear.  There are large canvas bags on the ground in front of the men.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665291
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Pieces of metal wreckage strewn across a field
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-60135
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Headshot of man in WWII era Air Force uniform
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-796529
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Vertical Shaft
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Nymokymi
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 545th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-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'.

VIII Bomber Command 69: Gallery (4 items)