VIII Bomber Command 90

3 September 1943
media-26154.png UPL 26154 42-29914 BK-H, 384th Bombardment Group, 546th Bombardment Squadron 384th Bomb Group collection

Object Number - UPL 26154 - 42-29914 BK-H, 384th Bombardment Group, 546th Bombardment Squadron

Description

German airfields in France and the Caudron-Renault works at Paris are the targets for this mission. The mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a combined force of 168 B-17s from: 91BG (14); 351BG (19); 381BG (22); 92BG (19); 305BG (18); 306BG (18); 303BG (19); 379BG (21); and 384BG (18) despatched to bomb the German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France. 100 of the aircraft are effective on the target. 28 aircraft bomb the German airfield at St. Andre-de-L'Eure, France; and 12 aircraft bomb the German airfield at Evreux/Fauville, France as a target of opportunity. 4 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-4KIA 16POW 10EVD 10RTD (rescued by ASR) 55 aircraft are damaged and 2 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners claim 11-1-0 of attacking enemy aircraft. 

The second element is a formation of 65 B-17s from: 94BG (21); 96BG (21); and 388BG (23) despatched to bomb the German airfield at Mureaux, France. 38 are effective on the target. 18 from 94BG bomb what they think is a target of opportunity, but it turns out to be a "dummy" airfield that the German have constructed near Dieppe, France. There are no losses or claims in this element. 

The third element is a formation of 65 B-17s from : 95BG (20); 100BG (21); and 390BG (22) are despatched to bomb the Caudron-Renault works at Paris, France. 385BG was scheduled to fly this mission but was cancelled when one of their aircraft exploded on the hardstand at Great Ashfield. When the formation reaches Paris, the target is obscured by clouds. So, the formation bombs the Beaumont Le Roger airfield near Paris. 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-16KIA 13POW 4EVD 10RTD (rescued by ASR); 18 aircraft are damaged and 4 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA) 

NOTE: B-17F-100-BO 42-30414 "Roundtrip Ticket II" was fully loaded with 500lb bombs and parket on dispersal No. 9 at Great Ashfield. An oxygen leak in the top turret slinger ring had been detected and teh crew had exited the aircraft and were waiting for the leak to be repaired. For some unknown reason a fire started aboard the aircraft. The fire brigade was called but they were unable to control the fire and the aircraft and its entire bomb load exploded. CPL Edward B. DeWolf was killed. A total of 5 other aircraft were damaged: B-17E 41-9017 and B-17F 5911 "Hesitatin' Hussy" which were parked 390ft away were so damaged by the blast that they had to be scrapped. 3 others were damaged and repaired in two days: B-17F 42-30251, parked at 630ft from the blast: B-17F 42-3097 "The Groundhog", parked 800ft from the explosion; and B-17F 42-30091, parked 900ft from the blast.

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This appeared to be a dummy airfield set up by the Germans to deceive the bombers. Target of opportunity.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 54.00
  • Aircraft sent: 21
  • Aircraft effective: 18

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 384th Bomb Group loses one Missing in Action (MIA).

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 34.50
  • Prisoners of war: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 18
  • Aircraft effective: 12
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 388th Bomb Group loses two Missing in Action (MIA).

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 113.50
  • Aircraft sent: 44
  • Aircraft effective: 38
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

Description: CAUDRON-RENAULT vehicle factories

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 390th Bomb Group was unable to locate the other formations, did not bomb. 100th Bomb Group loses 5 and earns the nickname "The Bloody Hundredth". 385th Bomb Group was scheduled to participate but one of their B-17s exploded on the hardstand after catching fire at the engine start, so they withdraw from the mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 111.00
  • People killed in action: 17
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • People evaded: 7
  • Prisoners of war: 12
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 15
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 4
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 8
  • Aircraft sent: 65
  • Aircraft effective: 37
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged: 18

Description: AIR DEPOT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 381st Bomb Group loses one Missing in Action (MIA).

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 294.25
  • People killed in action: 1
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • People evaded: 3
  • Prisoners of war: 6
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 6
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 7
  • Aircraft sent: 150
  • Aircraft effective: 100
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 55

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 92nd Bomb Group and 379th Bomb Group each lose 1 Missing in Action (MIA).

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 81.25
  • People killed in action: 3
  • People evaded: 6
  • Prisoners of war: 11
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 4
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft effective: 28
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2

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: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35478066
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Darrell C. Debolt, bombardier in the 8th Air Force 381st Bombardment Group (H) 1943-1944
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-734654
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18070856 / O-733295
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane. Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  Some of the men are  wearing  cold weather flying gear.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 0–672341
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Linda Ball
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Argonaut III
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (YB-G, serial number 42-29858) of the 508th Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group taxying at Polebrook. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Pre-Aug '44. Visiting B-17 waits to t/o. 508BS, YB-G, 351st BG. Polebrook. Source - Ed Hedrick (195A).'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Murder Incorporated, then Censored
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Buck-Shot
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Speed Ball
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorThomBear
Changes
Sources

Added a/c 41-24560 per post-mission report.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to St. Andre element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015, Added bomber gunner claims to Romilly element statistics.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Caudron-Renault element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Evreuax/Fauville statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", ROger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30May-2015. Editing Mission Narrative adding note about 385BG aircraft explosion based on "The Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Correcting Mission Narrative for Romilly based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Correcting typo in Mission Narrative.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" , Roger A. Freeman and amended per the 303BG Mission Report and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

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 90: Gallery (5 items)