8th Air Force 279 LEAFLET DROP

25 March 1944

Description

6 B-17s from 305BG/422BS are despatched on a night operation to drop 300 bundles (1,500,000?) leaflets on the cities of Brussels, Antwerp and Charleroi, Belgium and Amsterdam, Holland. There are no losses, casualties or claims.

Mission Details

ST. DIZIER / SCHWEINFURT

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Notes: All 8th Air Force fighter groups. Losses all 8th Air Force.

Mission Statistics

  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 84
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2

SCHWEINFURT / ST. DIZIER

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: 362nd Fighter Group from IX Fighter Command contributes an undetermined number of P-47s to the escort, number included in total despatched. Only two groups of P-47s escort the B-24s, everything else escorts the B-17s. No losses.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 301

SCHWEINFURT / ST. DIZIER

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Notes: 354th Fighter Group and 363rd Fighter Group contribute an undetermined number of P-51s to the escort, number included in total despatched. 7 fighter groups are unable to take-off due to weather. All statistics bundled except losses. 354th Fighter Group IX Fighter Command loses two P-51s in collision over the English Channel, only one pilot is rescued.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 155

Connections

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People

Carleton Earl Gillmore

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2071574
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Mary-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Mar-2016. Flagged as DUPLICATE.

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'.