VIII Air Support Command 51

6 September 1943

Description

Railroad marshalling yards in France are the targets of this two-element mission. The first element is a formation of 72 B-26s from: 323BG (36) and 322BG (36) despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Amiens, France. This is the second mission of the day for these groups. Their first mission that morning (to Ghent) was cancelled when the fighter escort was grounded due to weather. 66 are effective on the target at 1755hrs. There are no losses or claims.



The second element is a formation of 72 B-26s from: 386BG (36) and 387BG (36) despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Serqueux, France. This is the second mission of the day for these Groups. 70 are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims, but 3 aircraft are damaged.

Mission Details

AMIENS / SERQUEUX

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

322nd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'

323rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 99.00
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 66

SERQUEUX

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together

386th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal" Sloan. Written on slide casing: '296191, 397 BG.'

397th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 99.00
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 70
  • Aircraft damaged: 3

Connections

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

People

Donald Edmond Bonnom

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 409th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35170034
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Robert Daniel Grant

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 409th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-660347
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Paul Frederick Logan

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 409th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19059721
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Walter Clark Race

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 409th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39234251
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

A bomber crerw of the 552nd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder (RG-K, serial number 41-34987). Official caption on image: "(GP-30-27-386)(14 Sept 43)(552 Bomb Sq. Crew)." Printed caption on reverse: '552nd B.S., 386th B.G. A/C Name: _ A/C Ser. No.: 134987, RG-K. From left to right starting in back row: 1) Pilot: Gerold A. Wendt. 2) _. 3) _. 4) E/G: Thornton B. Henry. 5) A/G: Myron O. McKim. 6) R/G: _.' On reverse: From Photo Files Of Chester P. Klier [Stamp].

41-34987

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Danny Boy II
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-May-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'.