VIII Bomber Command 49
4 April 1943Description
The Renault armament and motor works at Paris, France are the primary target of this mission. 97 B-17s are despached: 91BG (26); 303BG (23); 305BG (18); and 306BG (30). 85 of the 97 despatched are effective on the target. Fighter resistance is heavy and 4-B-17s are MIA and 16 are damaged. The combined claims of bomber gunners are 47-13-6 on the attacking fighters. The 305BG meets the fiercest resistance, contributing 25-6-5 to the total. The 305th Bomb Group is awarded as Disinguished Unit Citation for this action. The number of enemy aircraft destroyed (47) is probaby an exageration, as the gunners from many bombers are firing at the attacking fighters. However, the numbers give a good indication of the resistance mounted by the Luftwaffe. There is no fighter escort for this mission.
In addition to the main formation, a combined force of 25 B-24s are despatched from 2nd Bomb Wing (44BG and 93BG) to fly a diversion over the North Sea. There are no losses or claims in this group.
Mission Details
Description: DIVERSION
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Notes: Diversional sweeps over the North Sea by B-24s (44th Bomb Group and 93rd Bomb Group)
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 25
Description: RENAULT ARMAMENT WORKS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: The 305th Bomb Group is awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (1st of 2). No fighter escort on this mission.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 251.00
- People killed in action: 14
- People wounded in action: 3
- People evaded: 2
- Prisoners of war: 26
- Aircraft sent: 97
- Aircraft effective: 85
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 16
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 364th Fighter Group 1st Scouting Force 384th Fighter Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (1st Combat Bomb Wing)
- Service Numbers: 18052358 / O-441827
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 364th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39303959
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
![Sergeant Fred Dioquardo of the 303rd Bomb Group stokes the stove inside a hut. Image stamped on reverse: ''Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 28 Jan 1943.' [stamp], '245666.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Stoking the stove in an American Army Air Force hut somewhere in England. Sergeant Fred Dioquardo, of Bayport, Long Island, asked the photographer to send this message back to his parents and fiance Miss H Sherwood , Maple Ave, Long Island: "I will be home when I](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378811.jpg.webp?itok=kZtxwdDu)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 7071292
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Devil Himself
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
![Captain Albert W. Dieffenback, a bombardier of the 303rd Bomb Group, admires Bugs Bunny painted onto the nose of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed as censored 9 May 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '14. Captain Albert W. Dieffenbach, of Garrett Park, Md., and the bomber in which he flies as group bombardier.' On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407609.jpg.webp?itok=_FHnam-K)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: S For Sugar
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The 8 Ball MK II
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Big Time Operator II
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 381st Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron 532nd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Jersey Bounce Jr
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 29-Dec-2014. Description based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop and "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'.