VIII Air Support Command 80

8 October 1943

Description

The German airfields at Lille/Vendeville and Chievres, France are the intended targets of this mission. 144 B-26 from: 323BG (36); 386BG (36); 322BG (36); and 387BG (36) are depatched but the mission is abandoned because of weather. This is the last mission with VIII ASC for 322BG and 386BG. These groups will be transferred to 9th Air Force effective 16-Oct-43 and be used as tactical support for ground forces until the end of the war.



NOTE: 322BG flew 45 operations with the 8th Air Force (including recalls) in 1,386 sorties and dropped 1,119 tons of bombs. Aircraft losses were 12 MIA.



386BG flew 37 operations with the 8th Air Force (including recalls) in 1,201 sorties and dropped 904 tons of bombs. Aircraft losses were 6 MIA.

Mission Details

VENDEVILLE / CHIEVRES / LILLE

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: Aborted dues to haze and weather. This is the last combat mission for the 322nd Bomb Group with the 8th Air Force. They are-assignedto the 9th Air Force on 16-Oct-43 and used as tactical support for ground forces to the end of the war. They have flown 45 missions (includes recalls) in 1,386 sorties and dropped 1,119 tons of bombs with 8th Air Force. They report 12 aircraft Missing in Action (MIA) with 8th Air Force. This is the last combat mission for the 386th Bomb Group with 8th Air Force. They are-assignedto 9th Air Force on 16-Oct-43 and used as tactical support for ground forces to the end of the war. They have flown 37 missions (includes recalls) in 1,201 sorties and dropped 904 tons of bombs with 8th Air Force. They report 6 aircraft Missing in Action (MIA) with 8th Air Force. They return to the US in July 45 and inactivated 7-Nov-45.

322nd Bomb Group

  • 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.'

323rd Bomb Group

  • 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

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: 0.00
  • Aircraft sent: 144
  • Aircraft damaged: 4

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman; Added summary notes on 322BG and 386BG based on USAAF records: www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/ 322bg.HTM and 386bg.HTM

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'.