VIII Bomber Command 94 OPERATION STARKEY

9 September 1943
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Four men standing to the rear and six men kneeling in front. UPL 65989 UPL 65989 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 28 July 1943/Kassel.
BACK L-R: Robert Kilmer (CP), John Barkley (N), Donald Ogilvie (P), William Wilson (B).
FRONT L-R: Francis Sylvia (FG), Emmett Hood (TT), Louis Ratkiewicz (TG), William Martin (FG), James Murray (RO), James McKeon (BT)
On

Object Number - UPL 65989 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 28 July 1943/Kassel. BACK L-R: Robert Kilmer (CP), John Barkley (N), Donald Ogilvie (P), William Wilson (B). FRONT...

Description

This mission has been named OPERATION STARKEY. It is planned as a coordinated attack of multiple bomber elements upon multiple targets and incorporates fighter escort as a rehearsal of what may be required to support an invasion of the Continent. It is the largest operation of the war to date with 330 bombers and 215 fighters participating. It is composed of 7 bomber elements. It is hoped that smaller formations of bombers directed to multiple targets will frustrate the Luftwaffe defenses and reduce bomber losses. 

The first element is a combined force of 87 B-17s from: 95BG (23); 96BG (20); 388BG (21); and 390BG (23) dispatched to bomb the industrial areas of Paris, France. Cloud cover frustrates bombing efforts at Paris and some formations attack the secondary target of the German airfield at Beaumont-sur-Oise, France. 20 aircraft are effective on the targets at Paris and 48 bomb the airfield at Beaumont. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) at Paris - 2KIA 8POW and 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) at Beaumont - 6POW 5EVD. These 2 bomber losses are the ONLY sustained by the 330 bombers dispatched. 21 aircraft are damaged and 3 airmen are Wounded in Action. The bomber gunners in this element claim 16-2-9 of attacking German aircraft. This element is the only one that draws up any significant Luftwaffe defense. This element has some fighter escort but it is limited by the range of the P-47s. 

The second element is a formation of 63 B-17s from: 94BG (21); 100BG (21); and 385BG (21) dispatched to bomb the German airfield at Beauvais/Tille, France. 59 aircraft are effective on this target. There are no losses or claims, but 6 aircraft are damaged. 

The third element is a formation of 37 B-17s from: 351BG (19) and 381BG (18) dispatched to bomb the German airfield at Lille/Nord, France. All 37 are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims, but 10 aircraft are damaged and 2 airmen are wounded. 

The fourth element is a formation of 56 B-17s from: 92BG (19); 305BG (19); and 306BG (18) dispatched to bomb the German airfield at Lille/Vendeville, France. 52 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims, but 7 aircraft are damaged. 

The fifth element is a formation of 56 B-17s from: 303BG (18); 379BG (20); and 384BG (18) dispatched to bomb the German airfield at Vitre-en-Artois, France. 51 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims. 

The sixth element is a formation of 38 B-24s from: 93BG (20) and 389BG (18) dispatched to bomb the two German airfields as St. Omer, France: Ft. Rouge and Longuenesse. 28 aircraft are effective on the targets. There are no losses or claims, but 3 aircraft are damaged and one airmen is Wounded in Action (WIA). 

The seventh element is a formation of 40 B-24s from: 44BG (19) and 392BG (21) dispatched to bomb the German airfield of Abbeville/Drucat, France. This is the first combat mission for the 392BG. 35 aircraft are effective on the target. This is the only element that does not get fighter escort, but there are no losses or claims. 

The mission is declared a large success even though the Luftwaffe does not commit any significant numbers of fighters against the various elements.

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 392nd Bomb Group first mission. Operation "STARKEY".

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 63.00
  • Aircraft sent: 40
  • Aircraft effective: 35

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Operation "STARKEY".

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 139.25
  • People killed in action: 2
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People evaded: 5
  • Prisoners of war: 14
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 64
  • Aircraft effective: 48
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 15

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Operation "STARKEY".

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 84.20
  • Aircraft sent: 63
  • Aircraft effective: 59
  • Aircraft damaged: 6

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Operation "STARKEY".

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 53.45
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 37
  • Aircraft effective: 37
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Operation "STARKEY".

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 74.52
  • Aircraft sent: 56
  • Aircraft effective: 52
  • Aircraft damaged: 7

Description: INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Operation "STARKEY", D-Day Rehearsal. 330 B-17s participate. Largest raid to date. Luftwaffe fails to commit any large force.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 58.00
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 6
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 23
  • Aircraft effective: 20
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 6

/

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: Operation "STARKEY".

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 65.40
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 38
  • Aircraft effective: 28
  • Aircraft damaged: 3

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Operation "STARKEY".

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 75.18
  • Aircraft sent: 56
  • Aircraft effective: 51

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Major John C. Egan, of the 100th Bomb Group, wearing a fez on his return from the Regensburg Shuttle mission. Associated News Story: '"Arabian Knights Return": Men Who Made Shuttle-Bombing Raid On Regensburg. Wearing red fezes and carrying Arabian knives, the first contingent of airmen who participated in the shuttle-bombing raid on Regensburg returned from their temporary North African bases yesterday, August 22 - five days after the heavy attack on the Nazis' largest aircraft Messerschmidt factory. No b
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-399510
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Squadron Commander
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19039826
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in a single row in front of a military airplane.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33192689
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34350057
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner / Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17038024 at enlistment, then O-523266
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Venus
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
The insignia of the 546th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Cat's Sass | Pulmadique
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Salvage Queen
  • Unit: 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Little America
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributorwilliam henry
Changes
Sources

Correct typos

Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Paris statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Beaumont statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 5-Jun-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

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 94 OPERATION STARKEY: Gallery (2 items)