VIII Air Support Command 58

15 September 1943

Description

Two German airfields in France are the targets for this mission. The first element is a formation of 72 B-26s from 322BG (36) and 323BG (36) depatched to bomb the German airfield at Lille/Nord, France. The mission is recalled due to clooud cover over the target. All aircraft return wihout bombing. There are no losses or claims.



The second element is a fromation of 72 B-26s from: 387BG (36) and 386BG (36) despatched to bomb the German airfield at Merville, France. 68 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims. 27 aircraft are damaged and 2 airmen are Wounded in Action (WIA).

Mission Details

LILLE/NORD

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

Notes: Recalled due to weather.

322nd Bomb Group

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

323rd Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: None
  • Aircraft sent: 72

MERVILLE

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder

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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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

386th Bomb Group

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

387th Bomb Group

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 100.05
  • People wounded in action: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 72
  • Aircraft effective: 68
  • Aircraft damaged: 27

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Jun-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 6-Jun-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'.