Description

This mission is the first attack by the USAAF on suspected V-Weapon sites. The German development of pilotless winged aircraft was first divulged to the British just shortly after the beginning of World War II in two letters sent to the British embassy in Oslo by a German mathematician and physicist Hans Ferdinand Mayer on 1 and 2 November 1939. This disclosure became known as the "Oslo Report". The information was passed on to the British Intelligence group known as MI-6. The report was largely dismissed as a German attempt at misdirection. However, subsequent photographic reconnaissance by the RAF in May 1942 through May 1943 confirmed that the Germans were indeed up to something at Peenemunde that seemed to validate the Oslo Report.

The mission of 27-Aug-43 was directed against the construction of a large blockhouse and surrounding works. In fact, these were actually German preparations for a launching site for the infamous V-2 rocket, but that exact use was not known at the time.

The mission was composed of two elements both aimed at the construction site in and around Watten, France. The first element consisted of a combined force of 159 B-17s from: 91BG (13); 92BG (19); 303BG (20); 305BG (18); 306BG (18); 351BG (22); 379BG (21); 381BG (10); and 384BG (18). Intense anti-aircraft fire was directed at this element as well as a German fighter force of 20-30 aircraft. 124 aircraft were effective on the target. 4 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 10KIA 18POW 2EVD 10RTD (rescued by ASR). 1 airman was KIA in a returning aircraft and 18 were wounded. 1 aircraft was crashlanded at Alconbury, UK upon return and was declared to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) but the 10 crewmen were OK. The bomber gunners in this element claim 7-0-6 of the attacking German fighters.

The second element was a combined force of 65 B-17s from : 94BG (11); 95BG (7); 96BG (9); 100BG (7); 385BG (12); 388BG (12); and 390BG (7). 63 of these aircraft were effective on their targets. There are no losses of claims in this element but 15 aircraft are damaged.