VIII Bomber Command 71

4 July 1943
media-19152.jpeg UPL 19152 "Hell Cat" Lockheed/Vega B-17F-35-VE Flying Fortress s/n 42-5910, of 365th BS, 305th BG, 8th AF.
This aircraft was originally assigned to the 326th BS, 92nd BG and named "Ruthie". She was badly shot up by fighters on the July 4,1943 mission to Nantes but managed to make it back to Alconbury. After being repaired she was transferred to the 305th BG and renamed "Hell Cat". Ran out of fuel and crash landed at Hawkinge, England on September 15,1943. Scrapped two days later.
Photo taken at: RAF Chelveston (AAF-105), England,

Object Number - UPL 19152 - "Hell Cat" Lockheed/Vega B-17F-35-VE Flying Fortress s/n 42-5910, of 365th BS, 305th BG, 8th AF. This aircraft was originally assigned to the 326th...

Description

The aircraft factories at Le Mans and Nantes, France and the lock gates and harbour facilities at La Pallice, France are the primary targets for this mission. The mission is comprised of three elements: 

1st Element: 121 B-17s are despatched to Le Mans, France: 91BG (19); 303BG (24); 351BG (18); 379BG (20); 381BG (21) and 384BG (19). The 92BG compliment includes 2 YB-40 gunships. 103 of this formation are effective on the aircraft factories and 2 bomb the marshalling yards. Enemy fighter oppositions is strong and 4 B-17s are MIA but the bomber gunners claim 24-5-15 of the attacking fighters; 

2nd Element: 71 B-17s are despatched to Nantes, France: 92BG (19); 305BG (25); and 306BG (27). 61 of this formation are effective on the target. Enemy fighter opposition is strong and 3 B-17s are MIA but the bomber gunners claim 28-9-7 of the attacking fighters; 

3rd Element: 83 B-17s are despatched to La Pallice, France: 94BG (18); 95BG (23); 96BG (16); 100BG (26). Fighter and flak opposition are light with only 1 B-17 MIA and 1 damaged. The bomber gunners claim 0-1-0 on enemy fighters.

Mission Details

Description: PORT AREA

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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
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
The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 137.50
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 9
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 83
  • Aircraft effective: 71
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 92nd Bomb Group's despatch included 3 YB-40s. Fighters were planned to cover the withdrawal from the target but were recalled due to weather.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • 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
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 254.50
  • People killed in action: 31
  • People wounded in action: 9
  • People evaded: 15
  • Prisoners of war: 25
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 24
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 5
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 15
  • Aircraft sent: 119
  • Aircraft effective: 103
  • Aircraft missing in action: 4
  • Aircraft damaged: 29

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Two B-17s from 303rd Bomb Group drop their bomb loads on the marshalling yards at Le Mans.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 5.00
  • Aircraft sent: 2
  • Aircraft effective: 2

Description: AIRCRAFT FACTORY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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 92nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 145.00
  • People killed in action: 16
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 16
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 28
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 9
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 7
  • Aircraft sent: 71
  • Aircraft effective: 61
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 34

Connections

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

People

Twelve men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Seven men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32226989
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
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)
Pieces of metal wreckage strewn across a field
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35661197
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36324682
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner

Aircraft

Ground crew work of the 303rd Bomb Group work on the engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Duchess". Passed for publication 20 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Famous Fortresses. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Ground crewmen at work on the Fortress "Duchess", which has already been on 50 missions over enemy territory. They are (left to right, lower): Sgt. Clyde L. Dewald, of 200 E Union St., Schnykill Haven, Penn.; and Sgt. James C. Hicks, of Rowtob, Henderson, K.Y.; (Upper) Cpl. Charles
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess, Sure Stuff
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sunrise Serenader
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Crew of the Piccadilly Commando
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Piccadilly Commando
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Personnel losses and bomber gunner claims to Nantes statistics per "the Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Le Mans statistics.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to La Palice statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Edited Title and added 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'.

VIII Bomber Command 71: Gallery (9 items)