VIII Bomber Command 70

29 June 1943
media-23266.jpeg UPL 23266 Lt. Frank Robert Spitznagel and crew. 364th Squadron, 305th BG. Assembled June 18, 1943 in front of their B-17 #42-29633, nicknamed "SpitzFire"
(Personnel noted Back Row Left - Right; Front Row L-R)

Ds 6/30/2018

Object Number - UPL 23266 - Lt. Frank Robert Spitznagel and crew. 364th Squadron, 305th BG. Assembled June 18, 1943 in front of their B-17 #42-29633, nicknamed...

Description

1st Bomb Wing despatches two formations: one has the air depot at Villacoublay, France as their primary; and one has the Luftwaffe airfield at Tricqueville, France as their primary. 

The first formation consists of 108 B-17s from: 92BG (14); 303BG (19); 305BG (20); 306BG (21); 379BG (16); and 384BG (18) despatched to Villacoublay. 2 of the 14 despatched by 92BG are YB-40 gunships. The target is totally obscured by clouds and none of the Bomb Groups are able to bomb. There is little fighter opposition and the bomber gunners only claim 0-3-3 of enemy fighters. 

The second formation is a force of 40 B-17s from 91BG (19); 361BG (7) and 381BG (14) despatched to bomb the Luftwaffe airfield at Tricqueville, France. This group also finds the target completely obscured by clouds and none of the force is able to bomb. There are no losses or claims. 

4th Bomb Wing despatches a force of 84 B-17s from: 94BG (21); 95BG (21); 96BG (21) and 100BG (21) to bomb the aircraft factories at Le Mans, France. 2 of the aircraft bomb the marshalling yards as Le Mans as a target of opportunity. 76 of the 84 B-17s despatched are effective on a target. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

Description: AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: The aircraft industry at Le Mans, France is the primary target of the 84 B-17s despatched, but 2 of the B-17s unload on the railroad marshalling yards as a target of opportunity.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 181.50
  • Aircraft sent: 84
  • Aircraft effective: 76

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • Aircraft sent: 40

Description: AIR DEPOT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: There is no fighter escort for this mission. However, two YB-40s flying with the 92nd Bomb Group are-assignedescort duties. Both are forced to abort. This pretty much ends the experiment with these aircraft as escorts. 10/10 cloud cover causes abort.

The insignia of the 92nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • Aircraft sent: 108
  • Aircraft damaged: 14

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36408642
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner / Togglier / Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • 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: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-735170
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot : Bombardier
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  Some of the men are  wearing  flying gear.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728581
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (TU-H, serial number 42-29831) of the 351st Bomb Group. Flim still from 'Combat America' (1943). Written on slide casing: 'TU-H, 229831? 510 BS/ 351 BG.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Invader
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Situation Normal
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron
Ground personnel of the 351st Bomb Group work on a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29948) nicknamed "Jennie". Written on slide casing: 'Jennie, 351 BG.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jennie
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th 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: Battle Wagon
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Jan-2015. Correction of typo in description.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2015. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

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 70: Gallery (4 items)