VIII Bomber Command 44

17 March 1943

Description

A combination of 78 B-17s from the 4 active Bomb Groups are despatched to attack the marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville, France. However, the weather is terrible and the schedules fighter escort was prevented from taking off causing a recall of the attacking force before they had even left English airspace.



A combination of 28 B-14s from the 2 active Bomb Groups are despatched on a diversionary sweep over the North Sea but are recalled when main attacking force of B-17s is recalled.

Mission Details

NORTH SEA

Description: DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 28 B-24s fly a diversionary mission over the N. Sea. All bombers are recalled due to bad weather. There is no fighter escort.

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

  • Aircraft sent: 28

ROUEN/SOTTEVILLE (Primary)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • Aircraft sent: 78

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728325
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Dec-2014. Description 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'.