VIII Bomber Command SCRUBBED

18 October 1943

Description

This was another attempt at launching at attack on the industrial areas of Duren, Germany. Both B-17 Groups and B-24 Groups were scheduled to participate, but the mission was recalled over the North Sea because of weather. One B-24 Failed to Return (FTR) 10KIA and 1 B-17 sustained a runaway propeller on #2 engine, which caught fire, and the crew all baled out near Icklesham, Sussex 10RTD, aircraft destroyed and 1 crashlanded at Dover, UK 10RTD aircraft destroyed. No other losses or claims.

Mission Details

Description: DIVERSION

Notes: B-24s carried out a diversion for recalled mission. No information on Bomb Groups participating or how many were despatched.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
  • People killed in action: 10
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

DUREN (Primary)

Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORIES

Notes: Mission recalled over North Sea because weather prevented fighter escort rendezvous. No information on participating Bomb Groups or number despatched. 94th Bomb Group crashed near Dover, crew OK. 390th Bomb Group aircraft abandoned by crew, crashed near Icklesham, UK 10 Returned To Duty (RTD).

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
  • People returned to duty: 20
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2

Connections

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19122414
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18079857
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12141953
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-799778
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Captain Dick and Ralph Jarrendt of the 388th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Capt Dick & Ralph Jarrendt.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16057004 / O-664401
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Just AG
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
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.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Mister Yank II
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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'.