VIII Air Support Command 54

8 September 1943

Description

72 B-26s from: 387BG (18); 322BG (18); 386BG (18); 323BG (18) are despatched to bomb the coastal defenses in the Boulogne are of France. 68 are effective on hitting their targets. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

BOULOGNE

Description: COASTAL DEFENSES

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: 1 B-26 from 386th Bomb Group ditched in the sea near Goodwin Sands, England, 5 of the crew were rescued, 1Missing in Action (MIA). This is the first Air Sea Rescue (ASR) for a B-26 in the UK.

  • 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
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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 99.50
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 68
  • Aircraft damaged: 26

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18130125
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 553rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Margie
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Jun-2015. Added Mission Narrative base 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'.