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.
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: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12138659
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Nose Gunner / Togglier / Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 33263982
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-733356
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Darlin' Dolly
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 803rd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Blondie II
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Spook V
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Rhapsody in Flak
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Holy Terror
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th 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'.