VIII Air Support Command 63

19 September 1943

Description

This mission is a combined force of 72 B-26s from 386BG (36) and 387BG (36) despatched to bomb the German airfield at Lille/Nord, France. 387BG does not bomb and only 18 from 386BG are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims but 10 aircraft from 387BG are damaged.

Mission Details

LILLE/NORD

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: Hampered by clouds and weather. 386th Bomb Group unable to hit target because of clouds.

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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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

386th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

387th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 25.65
  • People wounded in action: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 18
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 26-Jun-2015. Added Mission Description 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'.