VIII Bomber Command PRACTICE MISSION

24 September 1943

Description

This operation was flown by B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division as a practice mission to test PFF equipment. Number of aircraft despatched not in available source data. 1 B-17 from 100BG is damaged and forced to ditch into the North Sea. 5KIA 5RTD (Rescued by ASR)

Mission Details

STUTTGART

Description: PATH FINDER PRACTICE MISSION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: This is a practice mission by B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division to test Pathfinder (PFF) equipment and techniques. This mission was intercepted by enemy aircraft over the North Sea. One B-17 from 100th Bomb Group was shot down. Another 3rd Bomb Division B-17 carrying staff officers was attacked but managed to escape into cloud cover.

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 388th 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
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: 0.00
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Connections

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People

A bomber crew, led by Captain Vern Iverson, of the 96th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30412) nicknamed "Mischief-Maker II". Official caption pritned on image: (GPR-50-1-96)(22-8-43) Capt Iverson's Crew.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-418039
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: pilot

Revisions

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'.