VIII Bomber Command 82
15 August 1943Received this photograph and mission information as a part of the package that was sent to me (his son) by the United States Air Force.
James R. Regan, Jr.
Description
German airfields in Holland and France are the targets for this mission. All of the attacks were made late in the afternoon just prior to sunset. The mission is composed of two elements. The first element is a combined force of 180 B-17s from: 91BG (20); 351BG (19); 381BG (23); 92BG (18); 305BG (19); 306BG (20); 303BG (20); 379BG (21); and 384BG (20) are despatched to the German airfields at Vlissingen, Holland; Amiens, France; and Poix, France. 91 aircraft are effective on Vlissingen (cited as a secondary target in Freeman): 91BG (19); 92BG (18); 305BG (16); 306BG (20); 351BG (18). There are no losses or claims in this formation, although 34 are damaged and 3 airmen are wounded. 381BG was not able to bomb (reason not yet determined). 56 aircraft are effective on Amiens; and 14 other dropped on Poix. There are no losses or claims in these two formations, although 14 aircraft were damaged. The Mission Report of the 303BG which attacked Amiens stated that there was no fighter opposition and "It was a milk run you dream about" That report also mentions that there was RAF Spitfire support for this mission.
The second element was a formation of 147 B-17s from: 94BG (21); 385BG (21); 390BG (21); 95BG (21); 96BG (21); 100BG (21); 388BG (21) are dispatched to bomb the German airfields at Merville, Lille/Vendville and Vitre en Artois, France. 82 of these aircraft drop half their load on Merville and half hit Lille/Vendeville. 61 aircraft are effective on Vitre en Atrois. Two B-17s Failed to Return (FTR) one from 385BG and one from 390BG (First MIA for this Group)-17KIA, 1POW, 4EVD 3WIA. Fighter opposition is light. The bomber gunners claim 9-0-1 of the attacking German fighters.
Mission Details
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: None of the despatch of 381st Bomb Group were able to bomb. 14 of the 56 effective hit Poix.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 69.03
- Aircraft sent: 84
- Aircraft effective: 56
- Aircraft damaged: 14
/ /
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 82 aircraft dropped half their load on Merville and half on Lille/Vendeville.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 168.30
- People killed in action: 16
- People wounded in action: 3
- People evaded: 4
- Prisoners of war: 1
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 9
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
- Aircraft sent: 147
- Aircraft effective: 143
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
- Aircraft damaged: 11
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 215.10
- People wounded in action: 3
- Aircraft sent: 96
- Aircraft effective: 91
- Aircraft damaged: 34
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: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734654
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-729958
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-731474
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-675567
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18079857
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Winsome Winn II
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lucifer Jr
- Unit: 509th Bomb Squadron 351st Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Dallas Rebel
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Invader
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pistol Ball
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 511th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 16-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Merville Lille/Vendeville statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 16-May-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'.