VIII Bomber Command 100
23 September 1943
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)
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
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.
- 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
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
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 10601050
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-399782
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-737361
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-731272
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734654
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Dallas Rebel
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Argonaut : Vox Pop II
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Invader
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pistol Ball
- Unit: 351st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron 511th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lady Luck
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 28-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Kerlin element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 28-Jun-2015. Added bomber gunner claims to Nantes element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 28-Jun-2015. Added Mission Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
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'.