8th Air Force 238

28 February 1944
media-14556.jpeg UPL 14556 Consolidated B-24 Liberator #42-41013 'Trouble' [nearest camera] of 566th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group over Cognac, France, 8 February 1944.

Object Number - UPL 14556 - Consolidated B-24 Liberator #42-41013 'Trouble' [nearest camera] of 566th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group over Cognac, France, 8 February 1944.

Description

A combined force of 258 B-17s are despatched from 1st and 3rd Air Divisions to bomb V-Weapon sites around the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. Mission Summary follows>



1st Air Division: 134 B-17s are despatched from: 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 379BG; and 384BG are despatched to bomb V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. 68 are effective on V-Weapon sites; 10 bomb the road junction east of Yerville, France and the railroad siding at Abbeville, France. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 8 KIA 10 POW 2 EVD. 30 aircraft are damaged. 3 airmen in returning aircraft are WIA .There are no other losses, claims or casualties.



1st Air Division: A combined force of 124 B-17 are dispatched from: 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 379BG; and 384BG to bomb V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. 41 are effective on V-Weapon sites and 6 others bomb Targets of Opportunity (TOs). 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 23 KIA 16 POW 1 EVD 9 RTD (rescued by ASR). 45 aircraft are damaged. 2 airmen in returning aircraft are WIA. There are no other losses, claims or casualties.

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: It has not been determined which 3rd Bomb Division Groups attacked this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 31.63
  • Aircraft sent: 6
  • Aircraft effective: 6

ABBEVILLE (Opportunistic)

Description: RAIL SIDING

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: It has not been determined which 1st Bomb Division Groups attacked this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 20.13
  • Aircraft sent: 7
  • Aircraft effective: 7

PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Weather causes many to abort. No claims.

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 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 447th 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: 117.88
  • People killed in action: 23
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 16
  • People returned to duty: 9
  • Aircraft sent: 115
  • Aircraft effective: 41
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged: 45

PAS DE CALAIS (Primary)

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Heavy cloud cover causes more than half of the bombers despatched to abort. No claims.

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 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: 195.00
  • People killed in action: 8
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 117
  • Aircraft effective: 68
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 30

Description: ROAD JUNCTION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: It has not been determined which 1st Bomb Division Groups attacked this target.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 28.75
  • Aircraft sent: 10
  • Aircraft effective: 10

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-685753
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-676530
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-667228
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13057861
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer/Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-752975 T42 43 A
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator, bombardier, nose 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: Kayo
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Short Stride : Loma Lee : TS
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Situation Normal
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: T'aint A Bird II
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 1 334th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected a typo in the "Description" - "returning" was misspelled.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", 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'.

8th Air Force 238: Gallery (2 items)