VIII Air Support Command 10A & 10B

30 July 1943

Description

This mission is comprised of two elements and was officially designated as missions 10A and 10B. The first element was 24 B-26s from 386BG to attack the German airfield at Woensdrecht, Holland. 1 B-26 Failed to Return (FTR)-6KIA 1POW and another crashed on take-off -8RTD. This is the first combat mission for the 386BG. The bomber gunners claim 6-5-1 of enemy aircraft (statistics not clear if any of these were ground kills).



The second element was a formation of 24 B-26s from 323BG despatched to attack the German airfiled of Wevelghem at Courtrai, Belgium. This formation was recalled because the fighter escort was fog bound. No losses or claims.

Mission Details

COURTRAI

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: Mission recalled because fighter escort is fog bound on ground

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • Aircraft sent: 24

WOENSDRECHT

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: 386th Bomb Group first mission. First attacks made by enemy aircraft on B-26s at medium altitude. One B-26 from 386th Bomb Group crashes on take-off.

Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 13.20
  • People killed in action: 6
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • People returned to duty: 8
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 6
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 5
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 24
  • Aircraft effective: 11
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 5

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-May-2015. Added bomber gunner claims against enemy aircraft to Woensdrecht statisitics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-May-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'.