8th Air Force 205

2 February 1944

Description

V-Weapon sites in the St. Pol/Siracourt/Watten area of France are the primary targets for this mission. 110 B-24s are despacthed from 2nd Air Division: 44BG; 93BG; 389BG; 392BG; and 445BG. The lead group of the force despatched to attack near Watten had to take evasive action to avoid collision with the second group which had turned to early at the Initial Point (IP) and was forced to make a second approach on the target. 95 aircraft were effective on a target. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 19KIA - both down in the Norht Sea. 1 aircraft was Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) when it Crashed into the ground upon return at Butts Brow, Willingdon, Sussex apparently from a pilot error while descending to a lower altitude - 10KOM. 2 other returning aircraft sustained battle damage. There were no other casualties and there were no claims upon enemy aircraft made by the bomber gunners.

Mission Details

Siracourt, France / Watten, France / Saint-Pol-sur-Mer, France

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: The lead group assigned to attack Watten had to make a second run because the second group turned inside them at the Initial Point (IP) and were approaching the target on a collision course. NOTE: 10 airmen were Killed on Mission (KOM) when their aircraft crashed into the ground upon return - this total has been included in the KIA statistics.

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
A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.
  • 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: 314.50
  • People killed in action: 29
  • Aircraft sent: 110
  • Aircraft effective: 95
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-682220
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37263649
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13074162
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Zebra
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron 814th Bomb Squadron 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Black Dog, Wacky Donald
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Feb-2016. Corrected title yo "8th Air Force".

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016. Added St.Pol and corrected statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016. 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'.