VIII Bomber Command 100

23 September 1943
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of an airplane.  Five men standing to the rear and four men kneeling in front.  Some of the men are  wearing  flying gear.  UPL 66260 UPL 66260 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 23 September 1943/Nantes, France Submarine Facility.
Standing L-R: James Clifton McClanahan (B), Richard Vance Wolf (TG), Frank A. Celantano (N), Philip Morris Algar (P), George Warren Harris (CP)
Kneeling L-R: John Francis Shimenek (BT), James Thomas Yeater (WG), Francis Gerow (RO), Roland B. Laviolette (TT)
Not in the photo: Casmer Robert Majewski (WG)
546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group VIII Bomber Command 100 Grafton Underwood Casmer R Majewski James Clifton McClanahan Richard V Wolf Frank A Celentano Philip Morris Algar George W Harris John Francis Schimenek James T Yeater Francis Gerow Roland B Laviolette On

Object Number - UPL 66260 - 384th Bomb Group Lead Crews / 23 September 1943/Nantes, France Submarine Facility. Standing L-R: James Clifton McClanahan (B), Richard Vance Wolf...

Description

This mission consisted of three elements, one element from 1st Bomb Division and 2 others from 3rd Bomb Division. The first element was a combined force of 177 B-17s from: 91BG (21); 92BG (19); 305BG (18); 306BG (18); 351BG (19) and 381BG (22) dispatched to bomb the port area of Nantes, France. The element was frustrated in getting in formation due to weather and as a result neither 92BG or 306BG were able to bomb. 46 aircraft were effective on the target. There are no losses but two aircraft were Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR): one from 92BG exploded during assembly 3KIA 7RTD (parachuted) and one from 305BG sustained a mid-air collision while attempting a landing at Chelveston 10KOM. 41 aircraft were damaged. 11 airmen were wounded. The bomber gunners claim 22-1-3 of attacking German fighters. 

The second element was a combined force of 67 B-17s from : 95BG (22); 100BG (16); and 390BG (22) dispatched to bomb the German airfield of Vannes/Meucon, France. 55 aircraft are effective on the target. There are no losses or claims, but 7 aircraft are damaged. 

The third element is a combined force of 63 B-17s from : 94BG (21); 96BG (20); and 385BG (22) dispatched to bomb the German airfield of Kerlin/Bastard, France. 53 are effective on the target. One aircraft from 96BG Failed to Return (FTR) 10KIA. The bomber gunners claim 2-0-0 of attacking German aircraft.

Mission Details

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

The insignia of the 385th 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
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 155.25
  • People killed in action: 10
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 63
  • Aircraft effective: 53
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 10

Description: HARBOUR INSTALLATION

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: Bab weather hampers groups in finding formations. 92nd Bomb Group and 306th Bomb Group abandoned the mission.

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 134.25
  • People killed in action: 13
  • People wounded in action: 11
  • People returned to duty: 7
  • Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 22
  • Enemy aircrafts probably destroyed by bomber: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by bomber: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 117
  • Aircraft effective: 46
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 41

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

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 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 95th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 165.00
  • Aircraft sent: 67
  • Aircraft effective: 55
  • Aircraft damaged: 7

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Argentos, James 18108164 T/Sgt. 367th BS 306th BG Air Corps
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18108164
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane.  Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665266
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
The crew of the 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lazy Baby" the day after the record-breaking long-distance bombing mission to Eastern Prussia and Pomerania on the 9th of October 1943. Passed for publication 10 Oct 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Greatest Day Raid. American heavy bombers from Britain yesterday set up a new record for a long-distance raid when they made a round flight of 2,000 miles to bomb Pomerania, Poland and East Prussia ... Gdynia, Anklam, Marienburg and Danzig (Gda
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-681319
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16060366 / O-665661
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 741st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13007515
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Damn Yankee
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
Crew of the Piccadilly Commando
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Piccadilly Commando
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Stella
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
42-29762 Coup de Grace with crew; Robert Elbert Smith (pilot) standing rear left, other crew unknown
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Coup de Grace
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributorwilliam henry
Changes
Sources

Correct typos

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Kerlin element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Nantes element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-Jun-2015. Added Mission Description 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'.

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