VIII Bomber Command 97

16 September 1943
media-17209.png UPL 17209 Official USAAF caption : "A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress takes off from Bassingbourne, England on its first mission using the new external bomb racks. 16 September 1943."
The mission was to Nantes, France.

Photo research

Object Number - UPL 17209 - Official USAAF caption : "A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress takes off from Bassingbourne, England on its first mission using the new external bomb racks....

Description

This mission is composed of two elements: Bomb Groups from 1st Bomb Division and Bomb groups from 3rd Bomb Division. The first element is a combined force of 147 B-17s from: 91BG (18); 303BG (19); 305BG (16); 351BG (19); 379BG (19); 381BG (20); and 384BG (18). The primary targets for this mission are: the port facilities and German airfield Chateau Bougon at Nantes, France. The attacks will be made at approximately 1500hrs. 79 aircraft are effective on the port area and 51 aircraft are effective on th airfield. 7 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 24KIA, 20POW, 16EVD, and 10RTD (Rescued by ASR). 1 aircraft is declared a Category E loss (Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR); 47 aircraft are damaged and 9 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA). The bomber gunners of this element claim 22-2-5 of attacking enemy aircraft. 

The second element is a combined force of 148 B-17s from: 95BG (24); 96BG (20); 100BG (19); 388BG (18); 390BG (24); 94BG (21); and 385BG (22). The original target for this element was the aircraft factories at Bordeux, France, but cloud cover obscures the target and the formations seek out other targets: the port area of La Paillice; the German airfields of Larochelle/Laleau and Cognac/Chateaubernard, France. The Bomb Groups took off just before Noon and planned to attack at approximately 1530hrs, however weather problems and diversion to other targets delayed the attacks to 1730-1755hrs. This meant that the aircraft would be returning to their bases after dark. Neither 390BG or 385BG were able to find alternate targets and did not bomb. 93 aircraft were effective on the alternate targets. 4 aircraft are MIA; 12KIA 20POW 8RTD (Rescued by ASR). In addition, 3 other aircraft made crash landings in England 11KIA 5WIA also (1 B-17F 42-30601 "Mary Ellen II", 385BG/had a mid-air collision (10KIA) with B-17F 42-30201, 95BG (RTB)), another 4 airmen were Wounded in Action (WIA) in returning aircraft. The bomber gunners in this element claim 22-3-8 of attacking German fighters. 

 

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Despatch from 390th Bomb Group and 385th Bomb Group had no aircraft effective on the target.

The insignia of the 385th 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: 52.50
  • People killed in action: 20
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 21
  • Aircraft effective: 21
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 7

Description: HARBOUR INSTALLATION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: The bomber gunner claims for the combined force of B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division has been included under this target.

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 388th Bomb Group.
  • 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
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 179.25
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 22
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 3
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 8
  • Aircraft sent: 127
  • Aircraft effective: 72
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 151.00
  • People killed in action: 14
  • People wounded in action: 5
  • Prisoners of war: 9
  • People returned to duty: 13
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2

Description: HARBOUR INSTALLATION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 1 B-17 drops 12 X500GP on a convoy - no hits. Two Missing in Action (MIA) aircraft from 379th Bomb Group were hit by aerial bombs dropped by enemy aircraft. Bomber gunner claims for both formations attacking targets at Nantes are included in the statisics for this target.

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
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 233.96
  • People killed in action: 24
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People evaded: 16
  • Prisoners of war: 19
  • People returned to duty: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 22
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 96
  • Aircraft effective: 79
  • Aircraft missing in action: 7
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 47

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 151.04
  • Aircraft sent: 51
  • Aircraft effective: 51

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)
A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5906) nicknamed "Sandra Kay". Printed caption on reverse: '61482 AC- Crew of the 562nd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group, beside the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Sandra Kay". England, 11 August 1943. Front row, left to right: T/Sgt Herman J Ball, Milwaukee, Wisc; S/Sgt George R Martin, New Albany, Ind; S/Sgt Joshua M Lewis, Cumberland, Md; S/Sgt Otto V Kloza, Milwaukee, Wisc; T/Sgt Paul D Gomis, Reading, Penn; S/Sgt Fran
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36243138
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6277281
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-669955
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Damn Yankee
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Little Audrey
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 368th Bomb Squadron 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Crew of the Piccadilly Commando
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Piccadilly Commando
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Stella
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 26-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims for 3rd Bomb DIvision formations to the La Pallice statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", ROger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 26-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims for the entire Nantes attack to the statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 26-Jun-2015. Added Mission description basedon "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger 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 97: Gallery (7 items)