VIII Bomber Command 132

18 November 1943
media-18807.jpeg UPL 18807 Kjeller, Norway site of the Heavy Water Plant.

Ted Dudziak

Object Number - UPL 18807 - Kjeller, Norway site of the Heavy Water Plant.

Description

The German airfield of Oslo/Kjeller, Norway is the target for a force of 102 B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division that included: 44BG (34); 93BG (20); 389BG (26); and 392BG (22). 82 aircraft are effective on the target. 9 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 61KIA 30INT. 1 aircraft crashlanded upon return at Shipdham, UK, 10RTD. 2 airmen in returning aircraft were KIA and 9 others Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners claim 10-7-5 of attacking German aircraft.

Mission Details

OSLO/KJELLER (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 4 B-24s dropped 44 X 500GP on Rygge Air Depot as a Target of Opportunity.

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 93rd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 73.75
  • People killed in action: 65
  • People wounded in action: 9
  • Prisoners of war: 7
  • People interned: 20
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 7
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 102
  • Aircraft effective: 82
  • Aircraft missing in action: 9
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Personnel of the 389th Bomb Group stand atop the engine of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-40787) nicknamed "Vagabond King".  Sitting (left to right): Staff Sergeant David C Shattles, Staff Sergeant Louis H Raines, Corporal Alfred P Rossi. Standing (left to right)Second Lieutenant Masco, First Lieutenant Marvin Mendlesohn, First Lieutenant George A Brinton, Captain John B. McCormick, Staff Sergeant William J Budai, Staff Sergeant Richard W Weaver

'They have bombed ten different countries. Associated
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron 8th Air Force Finance
  • Service Numbers: 35337676
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-674468
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Copilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13106883
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 578th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-793067
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Farmer Johnson Jr
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-001010
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Vagabond King
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Shack Rat
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 577th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jul-2015. Added bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft to statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jul-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'.

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