VIII Bomber Command 164
24 December 1943Description
This mission is directed at V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. The attacks are made between 1330-1510hrs. The mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a force of 277 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG (33); 92BG (20); 303BG (27); 305BG (28); 306BG (25); 351BG (34); 379BG (37); 381BG (26); 384BG (27); 401BG (20). 248 are effective on a target. There are no losses or claims, but 4 airmen aboard returning aircraft are Wounded in Action (WIA). 44 aircraft are damaged.
The second element is a force of 196 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division that included: 44BG (24); 93BG (25); 389BG (30); 392BG (28); 445BG (35); 446BG (27); and 448BG (27). 192 are effective on a target. There are no losses, claims or casulaties.
The third element is a force of 249 B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division that included: 94BG (34); 95BG (42); 96BG (36); 100BG (21); 385BG (18); 388BG (37); 390BG (41); and 447BG (18). This is the first mission for the 447BG. 230 aircraft are effective on a target. There are no aircraft losses but 3 aircraft returning to England have crashes but all crew are OK. 30RTD. 41 aircraft are damaged. There are no claims on Grman fighters.
Mission Details
PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 526 B-17s and 196 B-24s participate, largest raid to date and the first of major strikes against missile sites. 23 V-Weapon sites are attacked. The 447th Bomb Group flies its first mission. 26 heavy bomber groups are now operational.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 645.71
- People wounded in action: 4
- People returned to duty: 10
- Aircraft sent: 259
- Aircraft effective: 248
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 44
PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 499.97
- Aircraft sent: 196
- Aircraft effective: 192
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
PAS DE CALAIS, France
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 598.92
- Aircraft sent: 249
- Aircraft effective: 230
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33 350 953
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Airplane Armorer / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-750150
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-746733
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15104471
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-686917
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Destiny's Tot | Cincinnati Queen | Kathy Jane III
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Old 66 / Lady Margaret
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Clean Cut
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 95th Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Bonnie Donnie
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 27-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
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'.