VIII Bomber Command 73

14 July 1943
media-25220.jpeg UPL 25220 Lt. Carroll Dayle Briscoe (306thBG, 369thSq) flying the "Carroll Jun," named after his daughter who was born in the middle of his tour.

My grandfather is pictured in this plane, and it was named after my mother.

Object Number - UPL 25220 - Lt. Carroll Dayle Briscoe (306thBG, 369thSq) flying the "Carroll Jun," named after his daughter who was born in the middle of his tour.

Description

The German air depot at Villacoublay, France and the German airfields Amiens/Glisy and Le Bourget at Paris, France are the primary targets for this mission. These attacks are made by three separate elements: 116 B-17s are despatched from 92BG (15); 303BG (19); 305BG (20); 306BG (24); 379BG (20); and 384BG (18). 101 aircraft of this element are effective on the target. 1 B-17 from 303BG was ditched 30 miles off Shoreham and the entire crew was rescued by ASR; 1 B-17 from 305BG was shot down by enemy aircraft - 7KIA 4POW; and one B-17 from 384BG was shot down by enemy aircraft - 4POW 6EVD (No MACR issued). This formation included 5 YB-40 gunships from 92BG and did not receive fighter escort. The bomber gunners of this element claim 15-7-16 of attacking enemy aircraft. 

The second element was a combined force of 64 B-17s from 91BG (20); 351BG (20); and 381BG (24) despatched to bomb the German airfield Amiens/Glisy. 53 of these aircraft were effective on the target. 1 B-17 from 381BG exploded during assembly - 6KIA 4RTD; 3 other B-17s were Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) but all the crews were RTD. The bomber gunners of this element claim 9-0-2 of attacking enemy aircraft. German fighters conducted mainly head-on attacks on the bomber stream. This element received fighter escort. 

The third element was a combined force of 84 B-17s from 94BG (19); 95BG (22); 96BG (21); and 100BG (22) despatched to bomb the airfield of Le Bourget at Paris, France. 52 aircraft of this element were effective on the target. 94BG sustains the significant loss of 4 B-17s - 11KIA 14POW 16EVD. The bomber gunners have a field day against the Luftwaffe, claiming 41-27-32 of the attacking enemy aircraft. This element did not have fighter escort.

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 381st Bomb Group had the Missing in Action (MIA), it exploded during assembly. 351st Bomb Group had a Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) crash-landing in southern England, but could not confirm tail number. This element received fighter escort.

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 82.95
  • People killed in action: 16
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • Prisoners of war: 4
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 9
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 64
  • Aircraft effective: 53
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 34

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 122.85
  • People killed in action: 11
  • People wounded in action: 16
  • People evaded: 16
  • Prisoners of war: 14
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 41
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 27
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 32
  • Aircraft sent: 84
  • Aircraft effective: 52
  • Aircraft missing in action: 4
  • Aircraft damaged: 50

Description: 101 of 116 B-17s drop thier bombs on the AIR DEPOT at Villacoublay, France.

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Despatch by 92nd Bomb Group includes 5 YB-40s.

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 379th 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: 232.50
  • People killed in action: 8
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People evaded: 7
  • Prisoners of war: 7
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 15
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 7
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 16
  • Aircraft sent: 116
  • Aircraft effective: 101
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 67

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: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14062755 | O-668177
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Twelve men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Seven men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32226989
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Argentos, James 18108164 T/Sgt. 367th BS 306th BG Air Corps
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18108164
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
Brigadier-General Fred L. Anderson and his crew of the 94th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (XM-Z) at Bury St. Edmunds (Rougham). 19 May 1943.' Printed caption on reverse: '51783 AC- Brig. General Fred L. Anderson with crew of the 94th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, beside a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Back row, left to right: S/Sgt. J.D. Polk, ball turret gunner, Okla. City, Okla.; S/Sgt. A.W. Hornden[?], top turret gunner; T/Sgt. McNemar, Radio Operator, Weston, W. Va.; General Anderson; Col. J.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16064840
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane.  Five men standing to the rear, six men kneeling in front.  Large canvas bags are on the ground in front of kneeling men.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-522720
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Co-Pilot / Commander

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (VK-D, serial number 41-24577) nicknamed "Hell's Angel" of the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group in flight. Passed for publication 21 Aug 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Hell's Angel. L1721/29.' Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A Flying Fortress wearing the new recognition symbol of the U.S.A.A.F. and fitted with toughened glass "windows" in the air.' On reverse: The Aeroplane Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell's Angels
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
Crew of the Piccadilly Commando
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Piccadilly Commando
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
Two airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Iza Vailable". Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency, 'Sacred' and U.S. Official Photograph O.W.I. [Stamps].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Iza Vailable
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims t on enemy aircraft to statistics of Le Bourget/Paris element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to statistics on the Villacoublay element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to statistics of Amiens/Glisy element per " The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-May-2015. Edited 3rd element Mission Description to include target, "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-May-2015. Added Mission Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorTom
Changes
Sources

Associated aircraft 42-30301. B-17 Fortress at War, Roger Freeman 1977

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 73: Gallery (6 items)