VIII Bomber Command 70
29 June 1943
(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.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: None
- Aircraft sent: 108
- Aircraft damaged: 14
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6950609
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38130722
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
![Staff Sergeant Donald W. Crossley, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: '21/9/43.' A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse of print, this has been lost, however considering the publication date, press agency and subject matter this was likely to have read: 'AWARDS TO THE HIGH-SCORING GUNNER. The Distinguished Flying Cross and an oak leaf cluster- the equivalent](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379270.jpg.webp?itok=7S4HAZqB)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15107390
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15095103 at enlistment, then O-797275
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-665291
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- 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
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Old Ironsides
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Little America
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Piccadilly Commando : Wabbit Twacks III
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2015. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 7-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'.