VIII Bomber Command 90
3 September 1943Description
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: 388th Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron 812th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-675273
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot/Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37461797
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-672827
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-675361
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12138659
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Patches
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Trouble Shooter
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Charlene
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron 562nd Bomb Squadron 803rd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Darlin' Dolly
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 803rd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Blondie II
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to St. Andre element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015, Added bomber gunner claims to Romilly element statistics.
Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Caudron-Renault element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Evreuax/Fauville statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", ROger A. Freeman.
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.
Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Correcting Mission Narrative for Romilly based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 30-May-2015. Correcting typo in Mission Narrative.
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.
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'.