VIII Bomber Command 149

5 December 1943
A B-24 Liberator nicknamed "The Oklahoman", piloted by Lieutenant Mason of the 389th Bomb Group bursts into flame during a mission, 5 December 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '5/12/43B - 3, 147. 147/RFWD148. 389 BG B-24 struck by flak and destroyed 12/5/43.' media-414012.jpg FRE 7927 A B-24 Liberator nicknamed "The Oklahoman", piloted by Lieutenant Mason of the 389th Bomb Group bursts into flame during a mission, 5 December 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '5/12/43B - 3, 147. 147/RFWD148. 389 BG B-24 struck by flak and destroyed 12/5/43.'
Serial 42-40738, 566BS. Roger Freeman Collection

Associated mission and people on board B-24 42-40738 when this image was taken on 5 December 1943 as per Missing Air Crew Report

Object Number - FRE 7927 - A B-24 Liberator nicknamed "The Oklahoman", piloted by Lieutenant Mason of the 389th Bomb Group bursts into flame during a mission, 5 December 1943....

Description

This mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a combined force of 216 B-17 from 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG (10); 92BG (19); 303BG (20); 305BG (20); 306BG (21); 351BG (35); 379BG (21); 381BG (30); 384BG (20); and 301BG (20) dispatched to bomb German airfields of La Rochelle-Laleu, St. Jean D'Angely, Ivry-Paris, Bois-Paris and D'Colombes, France. Weather and cloud cover totally disrupted this element and no aircraft were able to bomb. There are no losses or claims but one aircraft from 401BG crashed on take-off at Deenethorpe. 2INJ 8RTD. 1 other aircraft is damaged



The second element was a force of 92 B-24s of 2nd Bomb Division that included: 44BG (25); 93BG (24); 389BG (23); and 392BG (23) dispatched to bomb the German airfield at Cognac-Chateaubernard, France. Wethter and cloud cover frustrated this element also and only 2 B-24 from 389BG were able to drop on St. Nazaire as a target of opportunity. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 9KIA 1POW; 2 airmen in returning aircraft were Wounded in Action (WIA) and 7 aircraft were damaged. There are no claims on enemy aircraft in this element.



The third element was a combined force of 236 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that included: 94BG (42); 95BG (24); 96BG (41); 100BG (22); 385BG (21); 388BG (46); and 390BG (40) dispatched to bomb the German air depot at Bordeaux, Merginac, France. Again, weather and cloud cover frustrated bombing attempts. Also, this element encountered fighter resistance. Only 1 aircraft from 96BG was able to bomb the target. 8 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 36KIA 5POW 1EVD 29RTD (Rescued by ASR). 4 airmen in returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). 1 aircraft is damaged. The bomber gunners in this element claim 21-5-5 of attacking German aircraft.

Mission Details

BORDEAUX/MERIGNAC (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Only one aircraft from 96th Bomb Group was able to bomb in the vicinity of the target.

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.25
  • People killed in action: 38
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 5
  • People interned: 10
  • People returned to duty: 29
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 12
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 5
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 236
  • Aircraft effective: 1
  • Aircraft missing in action: 8
  • Aircraft damaged: 19

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 2 from 389th Bomb Group Hit St. Nazaire as a Target of Opportunity.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 4.00
  • People killed in action: 9
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 96
  • Aircraft effective: 96
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 7

LA ROCHELLE/LALEU (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Weather prevents any from hitting the target. One from 401st Bomb Group crashed on take-off in Deenethorpe. All OK, but bomb load exploded causing damage to the town.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 216
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

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: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36703821
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Togglier, Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-809493
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Argentos, James 18108164 T/Sgt. 367th BS 306th BG Air Corps
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18108164
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18042331
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14059607
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: What's Cookin' Doc
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Stella
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kathy Jane
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wolf Pack
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorwilliam henry
Changes
Sources

Correct typos

Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 23-Jul-2015. Added target to Mission Narrative of 3BD per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 23-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to Bordeaux element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 23-Jun-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'.

VIII Bomber Command 149: Gallery (7 items)