VIII Air Support Command 39B & 40

31 August 1943

Description

VIII ASC 39B - 36 B-26s from 387BG are despatched to bomb the German airfield at Lille/Vendeville, France. All 36 are effective on the target, but one aircraft Fails to Return (FTR)-5KIA 1POW. There are no bomber gunner claims against enemy aircraft.



VIII ASC 40 72 B-26s from: 322BG (36) and 386BG (36) are despatched to bomb military targets at Hesdin, France. The target is totally obscured by clouds and the bombers are recalled. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

LILLE/VENDEVILLE

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 53.85
  • People killed in action: 5
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 36
  • Aircraft effective: 36
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 11

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: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-731784
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator / Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11086882
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13088049
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: King Bee
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 558th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighth 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'.