VIII Air Support Command 48

5 September 1943
media-54784.jpeg UPL 54784 Martin B-26 'Marauder' raid on Ghent, Belgium, 5 Sept 1943.

Returning home over De Panne, Belgium.

Myself

Object Number - UPL 54784 - Martin B-26 'Marauder' raid on Ghent, Belgium, 5 Sept 1943. Returning home over De Panne, Belgium.

Description

Railroad marshalling yards are the targets of this two-element mission. The firstelement is a combined force of 72 B-26s from 323BG and 322BG despatched to bomb two railroad marshalling yards at Ghent, Belgium. 63 are effective on the targets. There are no losses or claims, but 38 aircraft are damaged.



The second element is a formation of 36 B-17s from 386BG despatched to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Courtrai, France. None of the aircraft bomb the target, possibly due to cloud cover. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

COURTRAI

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: Mission aborted.

Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • Aircraft sent: 36

GHENT

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: 2 marshalling yards near Ghent are targeted.

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 93.50
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 63
  • Aircraft damaged: 38

Connections

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Aircraft

A bomber crerw of the 552nd Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder (RG-K, serial number 41-34987). Official caption on image: "(GP-30-27-386)(14 Sept 43)(552 Bomb Sq. Crew)." Printed caption on reverse: '552nd B.S., 386th B.G. A/C Name: _ A/C Ser. No.: 134987, RG-K. From left to right starting in back row: 1) Pilot: Gerold A. Wendt. 2) _. 3) _. 4) E/G: Thornton B. Henry. 5) A/G: Myron O. McKim. 6) R/G: _.' On reverse: From Photo Files Of Chester P. Klier [Stamp].
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Danny Boy II
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative 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 Air Support Command 48: Gallery (2 items)