VIII Bomber Command 23
23 November 1942Official Description
36 HBs hit Saint-Nazaire submarine base for the fifth time in 2 weeks. Cumulative effect of operation on the base is large though the sub shelter shows little permanent damage. HB crews report change in ftr tactics from rear to head-on attack as they learn that the B-17 and B-24 are weak in forward fire-power.
Sir Pound, First Lord of the Admiralty, writes to Gen Eaker praising the effects of US bmr attacks on disorganizing the servicing schedule of the German U-boat bases on the French W coast.
Description
The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the Primary (P) for this mission. A combined force of 50 B-17s despatched from 91BG (10), 303BG (12), 305BG (20) and 306BG (8) to attack this target. 91BG is not able to put any of their group on the target, and only 28 of the 50 are effective. Also, 8 B-24s from 93BG join the attack. There is no fighter escort and German fighter resistance is heavy on the withdrawal and 4 B-17s are listed MIA.
Mission Details
SAINT-NAZAIRE
Description: U-BOAT PENS
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: This is the last mission for the 93rd Bomb Group before being sent TDY to North Africa. There is no fighter escort for this mission.
Mission Statistics
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
- Aircraft sent: 8
- Aircraft effective: 8
- Aircraft damaged: 1
SAINT- NAZAIRE
Description: U-BOAT PENS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: Bomber crews report the Luftwaffe has changed attack tactics and are now attacking the bombers head-on, because of the lack of forward firepower on the bombers. Of the 10 B-17s despatched by 91st Bomb Group, none manage to bomb the target.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 68.50
- People killed in action: 43
- People wounded in action: 16
- Prisoners of war: 2
- People returned to duty: 8
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 15
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 2
- Aircraft sent: 50
- Aircraft effective: 28
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 16
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-435877
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19064357
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15082875
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-435992
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
![Lieutenant-Colonel George L Robinson, a pilot of the 303rd Bomb Group, reads an English newspaper. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257535.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Lt. Colonel George L. Robinson, bomber pilot, serving with the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain finds English newspapers a little strange. Aged 30, he has been on 8 raids and holds the Air Medal and two clusters. He was in the Regular Army befo](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378859.jpg.webp?itok=v7a_F1F8)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-22362
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer; Pilot
Aircraft
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on 91BG, 303BG, 305BG, and 306BG At. Nazaire per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Made connection to 93BG on 1st St. Nazaire event and added aircraft type
Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added Bomber Gunner claims to statistics on 93BG St. Nazaire per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014, Crew associations; Missing air Crew Report (MACR)16273
Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014. Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 16273; American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).
Lee Cunningham 5-Nov-2014. Description based on "Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
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'.