VIII Bomber Command 6

27 August 1942

Official Description

7 HBs attack Wilton shipyards on outskirts of Rotterdam. These yards, the most modern in the Netherlands, are fully employed by the Germans for servicing vessels. 92d Bomb Gp completes nonstop flight of the last of its 4 sqs from Newfoundland to UK without a loss. A CCRC, the first in Eighth AF, is established at Bovingdon.

Description

97BG despatches 9 B-17s to bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, Holland.

Mission Details

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Cover for launches of Air Sea Rescue (ASR) aircraft.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 12

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Escort for an Air Sea Rescue (ASR) Walrus.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 12

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Rescue mission.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 6

Description: FIGHTER PATROL

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Patrol.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 2

BEACHY HEAD

Description: FIGHTER PATROL

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Patrol over Beachy Head.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 4

ROTTERDAM

Description: SHIP YARD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: A small force is despatched to attack the SHIP YARDs at ROTTERDAM, Holland. No fighter escort.

Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 13.00
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 9
  • Aircraft effective: 7
  • Aircraft damaged: 3

SHOREHAM

Description: FIGHTER PATROL

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Patrol coastline off Shoreham.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 6

Connections

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: VIII Bomber Command 4th Fighter Group Headquarters (4th Fighter Group) No 71 'Eagle' Squadron No 121 'Eagle' Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33241 RAF
  • Highest Rank: Wing Commander
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Wing and later Group commander

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Chronology

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 26-Oct-2014. Mission description based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop, http://www.usaaf.net/chron/42/aug42.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'.