VIII Bomber Command 39
4 March 1943AAMIB
Description
After several weather-caused aborted attempts in attacking the marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany, the 8th Air Force is finally successful in attacking this target. A total of 71 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (20); 303BG (18); 305BG (12) amd 306BG (21). The 91BG is selected to lead the attack, but the formation experiences heavy clouds and is forced to fly on instruments. The 91BG gets separated from the main attacking force, but finds clear air over the target. The 91BG becomes the only Group despatched to actually attack the target. This becomes the first heavy bomber mission to bomb a target in the Ruhr valley and for this they are awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation. 16 of the 20 despatched bomb the target, but 4 aircraft are MIA.
Because the 91BG became separated from the main force, the rest of the force attacks the harbour facilities at Rotterdam, Holland. 16 of 18 despatched by 303BG are effective on Rotterdam and 12 of 12 despatched by 305BG are effective on this target. 306BG is unable to drop on Rotterdam and heads back to England. This Group is attacked by German fighters and 1 aircraft from 306BG is downed into the North Sea.
As part of this operation 14 B-24s are despatched to fly a diversion for the Hamm/Rotterdam attack. During this diversion they look for enemy shipping but the record does not indicate that any enemy ships were attacked.
Mission Details
HAMM (Primary)
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The 91st Bomb Group was separated from the main force while on instruments and hit targets in the Ruhr valley. This is the first 8th Air Force attack on a Ruhr industrial target. The first Bomb Group to attack is the 91st Bomb Group and they are awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation. They are the first Bomb Group selected to test flak suits. None of the 21 B-17s despatched by 306th Bomb Group were able to bomb the target. There is no fighter escort for this mission.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 40
- People killed in action: 34
- People wounded in action: 7
- Prisoners of war: 6
- People returned to duty: 5
- Aircraft sent: 20
- Aircraft effective: 16
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 9
ROTTERDAM (Last resort)
Description: HARBOUR FACILITIES at Rotterdam, Holland are attacked as a target of Last Resort.
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The attack is conducted by 16 of 18 B-17s despatched by 303BG and 12 of 12 B-17s despatched from 305BG. These formations had originally been slated to attack the marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany, but they became separated from the lead group on that target, 91BG, and were forced to hit Rotterdam instead. The 306BG was unable to bomb.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 70
- People killed in action: 9
- Aircraft sent: 51
- Aircraft effective: 28
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Netherlands
Description: DIVERSION
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: 14 of 14 B-24s fly a diversion for the Hamm/Rotterdam force They look for enemy shipping but the record does not contain any information that indicates any enemy shipping was actually attacked. There were no losses or claims
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 14
- Aircraft effective: 14
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16038741
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner, Tail Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 659686
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-726142
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6278073
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36302819
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fast Woman : Fast Worker MK II
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Miss Bea Haven
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Scarlet Harlot : Vat 69 : Vicious Virgin
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 25-Dec-2014. Description and statistics from "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" and "Losses of the 9th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 24-Dec-2014. Description and statistics from "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 25-Dec-2014. Description and statistics for Rotterdam from "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 25-Dec-2014. Description based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop and "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'.