VIII Bomber Command 82
15 August 1943
Received this photograph and mission information as a part of the package that was sent to me (his son) by the United States Air Force.
James R. Regan, Jr.
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.

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- 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.
![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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-378743.jpg?itok=oPPVVi6c)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- 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

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- 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 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-735966
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator

- 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: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13042980 / O-798731
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-52478
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft

- 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].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-407619.jpg?itok=MsAmTSS3)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Iza vailable
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Correct typos
Updated aircraft connections and corrected typo in narrative
Lee Cunningham 16-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Merville Lille/Vendeville statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 16-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative 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'.