VIII Bomber Command 92

7 September 1943

Object Number - UPL 67641 - Herbert H. Hamilton, Cpt., Intelligence Officer, 547th BS, 384th BG.

Official Description

Over 100 Heavy Bombers strike industrial area and airfield at Brussels while smaller number of Heavy Bombers bomb targets (including NOBALL site) at Watten, and shipping off Texel Island.

Description

Two German airfields, one at Brussels, Begium and the other at Bergen, Holland, and the V-Weapons sites around Watten, France are the primary targets for this mission. 

The first element of 144 B-17s from: 303BG (14); 382BG (14); 379BG (14); 306BG (12); 305BG (12); 92BG (12); 351BG (19); and 381BG (17) are despatched to bomb the German airfield at Brussels/Evere, Belgium. 105 are effective on the target. There are nolosses or claims but 1 aircraft makes a crashlanding at Polebrook, damaging the aircraft but all 10 airment are OK, another10 aircraft are damaged. The formation receives good fighter escort support by 8th AF P-47s. 

The second element is a formation of 29 B-24s from: 44BG (13) and 389BG (16) dispatched to bomb Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. This is the first bombing mission for these Groups following their Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments and return from North Africa. Bombing does not take place at Leeuwarden, and the secondary target: the German airfield of Bergen/Alkmaar in the Netherlands is attacked by 3 effective aircraft. 19 aircraft of this formation end up bombing the opportunistic target of a German shipping convoy near Texel Island on the return. There are no losses or claims. This element also receives fighter escort by 8th AF P-47s. 

The third element is a formation of 147 B-17s from: 385BG (21); 94BG (21); 95BG (21); 100BG (18); 390BG (26); 388BG (18) and 95BG (22) despatched to bomb suspected V-Weapon sites in and around Watten, France. Weather hampers most bombing with only 58 of this formation being able to drop on a target. 94BG, 385BG, and 388BG are unable to bomb at all. There are no losses or claims but 39 aircraft are damaged and 7 airmen are Wounded in Action. This element receives fighter escort by the RAF.

Mission Details

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Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator

Notes: 19 aircraft bomb a ship convoy off of Texel Island, Holland with 102 X 500GP and 1,140 X 20 F. Only 3 aircraft hit the primary at Bergen

The insignia of the 389th Bomb Group.
  • 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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 45.90
  • Aircraft sent: 29
  • Aircraft effective: 22

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 1 B-17 from 92nd Bomb Group attacked a target of opportunity. One aircraft from 351st Bomb Group crash-landed at the base.

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 310.75
  • Aircraft sent: 114
  • Aircraft effective: 105
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Description: V1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 94th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group and 388th Bomb Group prevented from bombing due to cloud cover. RAF provided escort for this element.

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
The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • 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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 116 X 2000GP
  • People wounded in action: 7
  • Aircraft sent: 147
  • Aircraft effective: 58
  • Aircraft damaged: 39

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: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39398025
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Argentos, James 18108164 T/Sgt. 367th BS 306th BG Air Corps
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18108164
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-669955
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16066310 / O-735023
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37111609
  • Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

Ground crew work of the 303rd Bomb Group work on the engines of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Duchess". Passed for publication 20 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Famous Fortresses. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Ground crewmen at work on the Fortress "Duchess", which has already been on 50 missions over enemy territory. They are (left to right, lower): Sgt. Clyde L. Dewald, of 200 E Union St., Schnykill Haven, Penn.; and Sgt. James C. Hicks, of Rowtob, Henderson, K.Y.; (Upper) Cpl. Charles
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess, Sure Stuff
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Maryland, My Maryland : Billie
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Spitball
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fifi | Old Battle Axe
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
42-29762 Coup de Grace with crew; Robert Elbert Smith (pilot) standing rear left, other crew unknown
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Coup de Grace
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

USAAF Combat Chronology. 389th Mission reports supplied by http://www.ww2historyproject.org/

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Jun-2015. Added Mission Narrative 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 92: Gallery (2 items)