VIII Bomber Command 69

28 June 1943
media-24387.jpeg UPL 24387 Buffalo Evening News photo about the St. Nazaire raid on 28.06.43. Featuring Lt. Frank R. Spitznagel, 305th BG, 364th Squadron. Lt. Dave Cox; Lt. Robert Metcalf

Doug Spitznagel

Object Number - UPL 24387 - Buffalo Evening News photo about the St. Nazaire raid on 28.06.43. Featuring Lt. Frank R. Spitznagel, 305th BG, 364th Squadron. Lt. Dave Cox; Lt....

Description

The primary specific target for this mission are the lock gates at St. Nazaire, France to be attacked by two separate formations and also another force is despatched to bomb the German airfield at Beaumon Le Roger, France. A formation of 120 B-17s of 1st Bomb Wing from: 91BG (20); 92BG (16); 305BG (21); 306BG (21); 351BG (20); and 381BG (22) is despatched to St. Nazaire, France. Of the 13 aircraft despatched by 92BG 6 are YB-40 gunships. This force gets a figher escort part way along the route. German fighter opposition is moderate and flak is moderate. 104 of the 120 B-17s despatched are effective on the target. 5 B-17s are MIA (4 from 351BG). The bomber gunners claim 28-6-8 of the enemy aircraft. 

A second formation of 71 B-17s of 4th Bomb Wing from: 94BG (13); 95BG (21); 96BG (16); and 100BG (21) is despatched to St. Nazaire to attack approximately 15 minutes later that the the first formation. Because of the time lag, fighter resistance is light. 54 of the 71 B-17s despatched are effective on the target. 3 B-17 are MIA, all three sustaining damage from AA fire which punctures the fuel tanks and all three run out of gas and are forced to ditch into the English Channel. All three crews are rescued by ASR. There are no claims on enemy aircraft by this formation. 

A force of 50B-17s from: 303BG (18); 379BG (14); and 382BG (18) is despathed to bomb the German airfield at Beaumont Le Roger, France. This formation gets a fighter escort by Spitfires from the RAF. 43 of the 50 B017s despatched are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims in this formation.

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This 1st Bomb Wing element had no fighter support, but suffered no losses or casualties.

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 103.20
  • Aircraft sent: 50
  • Aircraft effective: 43
  • Aircraft damaged: 6

Description: LOCKS and GATES PORT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This 4th Bomb Wing element receives RAF Spitfire escort part way to the target. Some of the B-17s in this element were equipped with the new long range "Tokyo Tanks" , the first time they were used. All 3 95th Bomb Group Missing in Action (MIA) aircraft crews were saved by ASR.

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 102.53
  • People wounded in action: 7
  • People returned to duty: 30
  • Aircraft sent: 71
  • Aircraft effective: 54
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3

Description: LOCKS and GATES PORT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This 1st Bomb Wing element receives P-47 fighter escort part way to the target.

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 197.47
  • People killed in action: 31
  • People wounded in action: 9
  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 19
  • Aircraft sent: 120
  • Aircraft effective: 104
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged: 57

Connections

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People

Twelve men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Seven men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32226989
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Four men standing to the rear and six men kneeling in front.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-735966
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36324682
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Commanding Officer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (XK-D, serial number 42-29557) of the 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group takes off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Yankee Gal
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 366th Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ol Swayback, Moor Fidite
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Little Jimmie, Memphis Blues
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron 358th Bomb Squadron 423rd Bomb Squadron
42-29812
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lucifer Jr
  • Unit: 509th Bomb Squadron 351st Bomb Group

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorMags
Changes
Sources

303rd BG Web Page

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jan-2015. 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'.

VIII Bomber Command 69: Gallery (4 items)