VIII Bomber Command 43
13 March 1943(Personnel noted Back Row Left - Right; Front Row L-R)
Ds 6/30/2018
Description
The railroad marshalling yards at Amiens/Longeau, France are the primary target for this mission but the rail line at Romescamps, the German airfield at Abbevile/Drucat and two other targets of opportunity are also bombed. 80 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (21); 303BG; (20); 305BG (19) and 306BG (20). 12 aircraft from 91BG and 19 aircraft from 306BG attack the following targets of opportunity: 21 bomb the rail line at Romescamps, France; 8 bomb the German airfield at Abbevile//Drucat; and 2 bomb other targets of opportunity. In all, 75 of the 80 B-17's despatched are effective on their targets. No aircraft are lost but 11 are damaged. The bomber gunners claim 2-0-2 on enemy aircraft.
The main B-17 force is supported by a diversion flown by a combination of 16 B-24's from 44BG and 93BG (exact distribution not determined. There are no losses or claims.
The B-17 force was to be escorted by 27 Spitfires from 4th Fighter Group but these failed to rendevous with the bombers and they returned to Debden. No losses or claims.
Mission Details
Description: DIVERSION
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: Diversion for raid on Amiens.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 16
ABBEVILLE/ DRUCAT / ROMESCAMPS
Description: TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Notes: 12 B-17s of 91st Bomb Group and 19 B-17s of 306th Bomb Group attack targets of opportunity. 21 bombed a railroad at Romescamps, 8 hit Abbeville/Drucat airfield, and two hit other targets.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 92.00
- Aircraft sent: 31
- Aircraft effective: 31
AMIENS/LONGEAU (Primary)
Description: MARSHALLING YARDS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: This mission was supposed to be escorted by Spitfires from 4th Fighter Group, but they failed to rendezvous with the bomber formation.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 131.50
- People wounded in action: 6
- Aircraft sent: 49
- Aircraft effective: 44
- Aircraft damaged: 11
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: 303rd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-442766
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19059387
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15068650
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-791048
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14049756 / O-437941
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Hunga Dunga
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- 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: Hell's Angels
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Bad Check
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 27-Dec-2014. Description 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'.