Description

This mission is a combined effort of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bomb Divisions to attack V-Weapon sites near the French coast near Pas-de-Calaise. Some targets of opportunity were also bombed. A total of 20 out of 21 V-Weapon sites are hit with varying results.



1st Bomb Division: A combined force of 176 B-17s are despatched from: 91BG; 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG; 379BG; 384BG and 401BG. 169 aircraft are effective on V-Weapon targets. 2 aircraft Failed to Return - 20POW 1EVD. 64 aircraft are damaged, mainly from AA-fire. 1 airman aboard a returninbg aircraft was KIA and 10 others were wounded. German fighter resistance was light and the bomber gunners in this element had no claims on enemy aircraft.



3rd Bomb Division: A combined force of 198 B-17s are despatched from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG390BG and 447BG. 187 aircraft are effective on a target. There are no aircraft or personnel losses in this element although 2 aircraft are damaged. German fighter resistance was light and the bomber gunners in this element had no claims on enemy aircraft.



2nd Bomb Division: A combined force of 178 B-24s are despatched from: 44BG; 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; 445BG; and 448BG. 175 are effective on a target, of these 19 drop on targets of opportunity. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 8KIA 2POW. One other aircraft sustaining battle damage crashlanded at its Station, but in depth research by Stan Bishop was not able to identify the tail number of this aircraft. It is assumed that all 10 airmen were OK and Returned to Duty (RTD). 1 airman in a returning aircraft was WIA. The bomber gunners in this element claimed 8-0-1 of attacking German fighters.