VIII Air Support Command 53
8 September 1943Description
The German airfields a Lille, France ar the primay targets for this two element mission. The first element is a force of 71 B-26s from 323BG (35) and 387BG (36) despatched to bomb th Lille/Nord airfield. 68 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims, although 3 aircraft are damaged.
The second element is a formation of 72 B-26s from: 322BG (36) and 386BG (36)despatched to bomb the Lille/Vendeville airfield. 68 aircraft are effective on the target. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-1KIA 4RTD (rescued by ASR). This is the first rescued by ASR of a B-26 crew. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a wheels-up landing but all 6 crewmen are OK- 6RTD.
Mission Details
LILLE-NORD
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
![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.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380000.jpg.webp?itok=SSrEVQvb)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 99.50
- Aircraft sent: 71
- Aircraft effective: 68
- Aircraft damaged: 3
LILLE- VENDEVILLE
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380230.jpg.webp?itok=rq3kY4oi)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 99.50
- People killed in action: 1
- People returned to duty: 4
- Aircraft sent: 72
- Aircraft effective: 68
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 21
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413785.jpg.webp?itok=gRbgiU2C)
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Nicknames: Danny Boy II
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 3-Jun-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A Freeman and "Losses of the 8th and 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
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'.