Description

This mission is composed of two elements: Bomb Groups from 1st Bomb Division and Bomb groups from 3rd Bomb Division. The first element is a combined force of 147 B-17s from: 91BG (18); 303BG (19); 305BG (16); 351BG (19); 379BG (19); 381BG (20); and 384BG (18). The primary targets for this mission are: the port facilities and German airfield Chateau Bougon at Nantes, France. The attacks will be made at approximately 1500hrs. 79 aircraft are effective on the port area and 51 aircraft are effective on th airfield. 7 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 24KIA, 20POW, 16EVD, and 10RTD (Rescued by ASR). 1 aircraft is declared a Category E loss (Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR); 47 aircraft are damaged and 9 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners of this element claim 22-2-5 of attacking enemy aircraft. 

The second element is a combined force of 148 B-17s from: 95BG (24); 96BG (20); 100BG (19); 388BG (18); 390BG (24); 94BG (21); and 385BG (22). The original target for this element was the aircraft factories at Bordeux, France, but cloud cover obscures the target and the formations seek out other targets: the port area of La Paillice; the German airfields of Larochelle/Laleau and Cognac/Chateaubernard, France. The Bomb Groups took off just before Noon and planned to attack at approximately 1530hrs, however weather problems and diversion to other targets delayed the attacks to 1730-1755hrs. This meant that the aircraft would be returning to their bases after dark. Neither 390BG or 385BG were able to find alternate targets and did not bomb. 93 aircraft were effective on the alternate targets. 4 aircraft are MIA; 12KIA 20POW 8RTD (Rescued by ASR). In addition, 3 other aircraft made crash landings in England 11KIA 5WIA also (1 B-17F 42-30601 "Mary Ellen II", 385BG/had a mid-air collision (10KIA) with B-17F 42-30201, 95BG (RTB)), another 4 airmen were Wounded in Action (WIA) in returning aircraft. The bomber gunners in this element claim 22-3-8 of attacking German fighters.