VIII Bomber Command 95

15 September 1943

Description

This mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a formation of 93 B-17s from: (1BG (19); 305BG (18); 306BG (18); 351BG (19); and 381BG (19) despatched to bomb the German air deport at Romilly-sur-Seine, France. 87 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims but 2 aircraft make crashlandings upon return and the aircraft are declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR)-10RTD, 7 other aircraft are damaged and 3 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA). This element receives fighter escort. 

The second element is composed of 152 B-17s from: 95BG (23); 100BG (20); 390BG (23); 94BG (21); 96BG (23); 385BG (22); and 388BG (20) despatched to bomb the industrial areas of Paris and the aircraft industry there. 40 aircraft are effective on the Caudron-Renault works; 21 aircraft are effective on the Billancourt-Renault works; and 77 aircraft bomb the Hiapano-Suiza aircraft factoried at Paris. 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-39KIA 4POW 8EVD; 33 other aircraft are damaged; and 2 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA) The bomber gunners in these formations claim 12-2-4 of attacking German aircraft. 

The third element is a formation of 63 B-24s from: 44BG (22); 93BG (21); and 389BG (20) despatched to bomb the German airfield at Chartres, France. 47 aircraft are effective on the target; 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-4KIA 5POW 1EVD. The bomber ginners in the element claim 3-0-0 of attacking enemy aircraft.

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: This is the last mission for these Groups before being transferred to North Africa on temporary assignment.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 141.00
  • People missing in action: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 63
  • Aircraft effective: 47
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Description: PARIS BILLANCOURT-RENAULT FACTORIES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 63.00
  • People killed in action: 1
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • People evaded: 7
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 23
  • Aircraft effective: 21

Description: PARIS CAUDRON-RENAULT FACTORIES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 118.75
  • People killed in action: 10
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 43
  • Aircraft effective: 40
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 33

Description: PARIS HISPANO-SUIZA AIRCRAFT ENGINE WORKS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 229.00
  • People killed in action: 18
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 86
  • Aircraft effective: 79
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3

Description: AIR DEPOT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Some aircraft carried 1000GP bombs on external racks.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 267.55
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People returned to duty: 20
  • Aircraft sent: 93
  • Aircraft effective: 87
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 7

Connections

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

People

A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30177) nicknamed "Charlene". Printed caption on reverse: '61552 AC- Crew of the 562nd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group, beside the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Charlene". England. 30 August 1943. Standing left to right are: 2nd Lt John N Harlan, Boise, Idaho; 1st Lt Charles Bliss, Los Angeles, California; 2nd Lt Vernon D Dunkin, Columbus, Ohio; 2nd Lt Bernard J Quenneville, Hadley, Mass. Kneeling left to right: S/Sgt Ro
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-52478
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
The crew of the 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lazy Baby" the day after the record-breaking long-distance bombing mission to Eastern Prussia and Pomerania on the 9th of October 1943. Passed for publication 10 Oct 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Greatest Day Raid. American heavy bombers from Britain yesterday set up a new record for a long-distance raid when they made a round flight of 2,000 miles to bomb Pomerania, Poland and East Prussia ... Gdynia, Anklam, Marienburg and Danzig (Gda
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-681319
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-731452
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16060366 / O-665661
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32456949
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • 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: Snoozin Susan
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th 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
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-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'.