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VIII Air Support Command 01

16 July 1943

Official description

Not yet known

Description

This is the first mission flown by medium bombers (B-26) of the VIII Air Service Command. 16 B-26s from 323rd Bomb Group are despatched to make an attack at medium altitude on the railroad marshaling yards at Abbeville, France. 14 are effective on the target, however 10 are damaged by anti-aircraft fire. There are no losses or claims.

Mission details

1. ABBEVILLE

Description

MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft type

B-26 Marauder

Notes

First mission for the 323rd Bomb Group.1st mission of 8th Air Force Support Command (B-26 units) to a target. These attacked at medium altitude. No fighter escort on this mission.

Units

  • 323rd Bomb Group

    323rd Bomb Group

    Group
    The 323rd Bombardment Group operated with B-26 Marauders, American medium bombers. They were the first Eighth Air Force Group to fly a medium level bombing mission with this aircraft on 16 July 1943. After flying a total of 33 missions with the Eighth,...

Mission Statistics

Tonnage dropped 16.75 tons
Number of aircraft Sent 16
Number of aircraft Effective 14
Number of aircraft Damaged 10
Number of people Wounded in Action 2

Service

Aircraft

  • 41-34913 Flounder Gus

    B-26 Marauder
    The B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34913) "Flounder Gus" was flown by pilot Richard H Lightfine of the 454th Bomb Squadron of the 323rd Bomb Group, as part of the 9th Air Force. The aircraft was originally based at Earles Colne and took part in the...

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
07 May 2015 21:45:18 Lee8thbuff Changes to description
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-May-2015. Added Mission Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:43:15 AAM AAM ingest
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'.

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