VIII Bomber Command 81
12 August 1943Michael P. Faley-100th Bomb Group Historian, www.100thbg.com
Description
This mission is separated into two elements. The first element is a combined force of 183 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division: 91BG (22); 92BG (19); 303BG (20); 305BG (20); 306BG (20); 351BG (21); 379BG (21); 381BG (20); and 384BG (20) are dispatched to bomb the synthetic oil refineries at Bochum, Gelsenkirchen and Recklinghausen, Germany. This is the first daylight operation by VIII Bomber Command into the Ruhr Valley -- subsequently dubbed by bomber crews as "Happy Valley". The bombers had to fly unescorted to their targets but were met on the way out by P-47s. The formations got badly scattered on the way in and many were forced to bomb targets of opportunity due to clouds, smoke and evasive action from the high concentrations of anti-aircraft batteries protecting these targets. Both fighter opposition and flak were heavy. 133 of the bombers were effective on some target but many were not able to bomb their primary assignments. Bomber losses are significant with 23 Failing to Return (FTR) and 3 are so damaged that they are determined to be Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR). 384th Bomb Group (target Recklinghausen) sustains the loss of 5 aircraft. Total casualties in this formation are: 83 KIA, 49WIA, 154 POW, 1 DIC and 27 RTD (in DBRs). The bomber gunners claim 25-5-11 of the attacking German fighters.
The second element is a formation of 147 B-17s from: 94BG (21); 95BG (21); 96BG (21); 100BG (21); 385BG (21); 388BG (21); and 390BG (21) dispatched to bomb the industrial areas of Bonn, Germany. This is the first mission from 390th Bomb Group. 110 of these aircraft are effective on Bonn and other targets of opportunity in the area. Only 2 Fail to Return (FTR) - 5 KIA, 14 POW, 1 EVD. 1 from 390BG Returned to Base (RTB) but was so damaged it was declared Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR), all ten crewmen Returned to Duty (RTD). The bomber gunners claim 4-2-2 of attacking enemy fighters.
Mission Details
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Description: SYNTHETIC OIL REFINERIES
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The Ruhr is targeted with concentration on manufacturing and synthetic oil facilities. Some B-17s become separated and bomb targets of opportunity instead.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 307.00
- People killed in action: 83
- People wounded in action: 49
- People evaded: 1
- Prisoners of war: 154
- People died in captivity: 1
- People returned to duty: 19
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 25
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 5
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 11
- Aircraft sent: 183
- Aircraft effective: 133
- Aircraft missing in action: 23
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
- Aircraft damaged: 103
Description: MANUFACTURING PLANTS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The 390th Bomb Group flies its first mission. 16 aircraft dropped on the leader when an enemy aircraft forced him to jettison his bombs while on the bomb run. 4 aircraft dropped 40 x 500GP on other Targets of Opportunity.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 253.13
- People killed in action: 6
- People wounded in action: 7
- Prisoners of war: 14
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 4
- Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 2
- Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 2
- Aircraft sent: 147
- Aircraft effective: 110
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 69
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 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19067088
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18079857
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-742986 and 39169463 on enlisting
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-303
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron 508th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19125741 at enlistment, then O-565390
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Cameraman, Gunner, Actor
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lucifer Jr
- Unit: 509th Bomb Squadron 351st Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Invader
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pistol Ball
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 511th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Cherokee Girl
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Amatol
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 510th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 15-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Bonn statistics per "The Mighty EIghth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 15-May-2015. Added DIed in Captivity statistic to Bochum/Gelsenkirchen/Recklinghausen element statistics per "The Mighty EIghth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 15-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Bochum/Gelsenkirchen/Recklinghausen statistics based on "The Mighty EIghth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 15-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty EIghth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 15-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty EIghth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 15-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty EIghth War Dairy", 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'.