8th Air Force 463
9 July 1944Description
V-1 launching sites and German airfields in France are the focus of this mission. Poor weather frustrates bombing attempts. All aircraft despatched are from 3rd Bomb Division and include: a combined force of 104 B-24s from 34BG; 486BG; 487BG; 490BG and 491BG are assigned to bomb V-1 missile launching sites. Only 37 aircraft from this element are effective on targets. 1 B-24 from 34BG is forced to ditch 45 miles south of Selsey Bill, UK. Only 4 of the 10 crew are rescued. Also, 77 B-17s from 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG and 452BG form a combined force to bomb German airfields in France. Only 12 of these are effective on the Longuenesse airfield at St. Omer, France and 3 others hit targets of opportunity.
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 7 T
Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES
Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-24s is 34th Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group, 490th Bomb Group, 491st Bomb Group
![Three B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 94th Bomb Group are attacked by a Nazi Fighter aircraft during a mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-62641 USAF: Nazi fighter plane attacking Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" during a bomb run over enemy installations somewhere in Europe, 10 September 1944. 100th[sic] Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division. U.S. Air Force Photo.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408505.jpg.webp?itok=zJwHCUjh)
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 88 T
ST OMER LONGUENESSE (Opportunistic)
Description: AIRFIELD
Notes: Poor weather frustrates the mission. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-17s is 94th Bomb Group, 95 Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Combat organisation
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 26.8 T
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16092205
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Nose Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron 835th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35092141
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner / Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 7-May 2015. Edited title; corrected Mission date; added Mission Description based on "The 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'.