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

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13052341 / O-2043758
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
Lieutenant Paul Bensel and his crew of the 388th Bomb Group stand with a bomb, personally addressed to Hitler, and their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5954) nicknamed "Mister Yank II" before the Regensburg Raid, August 1943. A B-17 nicknamed "Homesick Angel" is visible in the background.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38106966
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer
  • 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
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37234120
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-793780
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30235) nicknamed "The Zoot Suiters" of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lonesome Polecat : The Zoot Suiters
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fritz Blitz
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Terry and the Pirates
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (QW-T, serial number 42-30288) nicknamed "Louise II" of the 95th Bomb Group. First handwritten caption on reverse: 'QW=T name appears to be "...-UISE II", "II" may be a 'D' and dark stain may be blotting out part of name. Note old star markings and no 'B' in square. Date 5/12/43.' Second Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Bordeaux 5/12/43.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Louise II
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: T'aint A Bird II
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 334th 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'.