VIII Bomber Command 82

15 August 1943

Object Number - UPL 32290 - James R. Regan, Sr. pilot. a lieutenant at the time, is second person kneeling from the left.

Description

German airfields in Holland and France are the targets for this mission. All of the attacks were made late in the afternoon just prior to sunset. The mission is composed of two elements. The first element is a combined force of 180 B-17s from: 91BG (20); 351BG (19); 381BG (23); 92BG (18); 305BG (19); 306BG (20); 303BG (20); 379BG (21); and 384BG (20) are despatched to the German airfields at Vlissingen, Holland; Amiens, France; and Poix, France. 91 aircraft are effective on Vlissingen (cited as a secondary target in Freeman): 91BG (19); 92BG (18); 305BG (16); 306BG (20); 351BG (18). There are no losses or claims in this formation, although 34 are damaged and 3 airmen are wounded. 381BG was not able to bomb (reason not yet determined). 56 aircraft are effective on Amiens; and 14 other dropped on Poix. There are no losses or claims in these two formations, although 14 aircraft were damaged. The Mission Report of the 303BG which attacked Amiens stated that there was no fighter opposition and "It was a milk run you dream about" That report also mentions that there was RAF Spitfire support for this mission.

The second element was a formation of 147 B-17s from: 94BG (21); 385BG (21); 390BG (21); 95BG (21); 96BG (21); 100BG (21); 388BG (21) are dispatched to bomb the German airfields at Merville, Lille/Vendville and Vitre en Artois, France. 82 of these aircraft drop half their load on Merville and half hit Lille/Vendeville. 61 aircraft are effective on Vitre en Atrois. Two B-17s Failed to Return (FTR) one from 385BG and one from 390BG (First MIA for this Group)-17KIA, 1POW, 4EVD 3WIA. Fighter opposition is light. The bomber gunners claim 9-0-1 of the attacking German fighters.

Mission Details

AMIENS/POIX (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: None of the despatch of 381st Bomb Group were able to bomb. 14 of the 56 effective hit Poix.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • 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 381st 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: 69.03
  • Aircraft sent: 84
  • Aircraft effective: 56
  • Aircraft damaged: 14

MERVILLE / LILLE VENDEVILLE (Primary) / VITRY EN ARTOIS (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 82 aircraft dropped half their load on Merville and half on Lille/Vendeville.

The wreckage of a B-24 Liberator (GO-K) of the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group that has crash landed. A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 100th Bomb Group is in the background.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • 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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 168.30
  • People killed in action: 16
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People evaded: 4
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 9
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 147
  • Aircraft effective: 143
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 11

VLISSINGEN (Secondary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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 351st 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
The insignia of the 92nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 215.10
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 96
  • Aircraft effective: 91
  • Aircraft damaged: 34

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 492nd Bomb Group 1st Scouting Force 385th Fighter Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728536
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665266
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16066310 / O-735023
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37111609
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (Technician Fourth Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-523642
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

Ground crew work of the 303rd Bomb Group work on the engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Duchess". Passed for publication 20 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Famous Fortresses. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Ground crewmen at work on the Fortress "Duchess", which has already been on 50 missions over enemy territory. They are (left to right, lower): Sgt. Clyde L. Dewald, of 200 E Union St., Schnykill Haven, Penn.; and Sgt. James C. Hicks, of Rowtob, Henderson, K.Y.; (Upper) Cpl. Charles
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess, Sure Stuff
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Stella
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: El Rauncho
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 94th Bomb Group
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

Date31 Jan 2018 17:31:39
Contributorwilliam henry
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Correct typos

Date12 Jun 2016 10:14:59
ContributorRainer
ChangesChanges to description and aircraft associations
Sources

Updated aircraft connections and corrected typo in narrative

Date16 May 2015 21:24:41
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to event
Sources

Lee Cunningham 16-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Merville Lille/Vendeville statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date16 May 2015 21:22:05
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Lee Cunningham 16-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date27 Sep 2014 18:43:17
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
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'.

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