VIII Air Support Command 79

4 October 1943

Description

A combined force of 25 B-26s from 386BG (17) and 323BG (8) are despatched towards the German airfields of Beauvais/Nivilliers and Everaux/Fauville, France. Weather and cloud cover prevenst bombing. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

Beauvais/ Nivilliers

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: All return to base without bombing reason undetermined, probably weather.

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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
  • Aircraft sent: 17

EVREUX/FAUVILLE

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: All return to base without bombing reason undetermined, probably weather.

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: 0.00
  • Aircraft sent: 8

Connections

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

People

Paul D Guiteras

  • 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
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane. Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front. Some of the men are wearing flying gear.

Walter Carl Parkins

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34124122
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
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.

Philip Hearld Pick

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-673266
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane. Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front. Some of the men are wearing flying gear.

Phillip Elbert Schmidlapp

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35110121
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer
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.

Bonnie Anton Skloss

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38113217
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Jul-2014. 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'.