Description

The Ford and General Motors vehicle plants at Antwerp, Belgium are the primary target for this mission. 79-B-17 are despatched 91BG (25); 303BG (27) and 305BG (27). 65 0f the 79 despatched are effective on the target. There is moderate flak and fighter opposition. No aircraft in this formation are lost, 16 are damaged. The bomber gunners claim 10-0-2 on enemy aircraft.



NOTE: The lead aircraft from 303BG is B-17F 41-24635 "Eight Ball II", aboard as observers are Hollywood actor Capt Clark Cable and a cameraman. Capt Cable is serving with the 351st Bomb Group which is still in the process of becoming operational. He has been assigned, along with a team of six former motion picture employees, to make a film to be used in the training of 8th Air Force bomber gunners. He is anxious to get started on the project and manages to "hitch" this ride in the "Eight Ball II". During the mission, the aircraft is attacked by German fighters and Capt Gable mans the radio room gun. The aircraft is only slightly damaged.



The formation attacking at Antwerp, Belgium are supported by 20 B-17s despatched from 306BG and 13 B-24s despatched from 44BG to fly a diversion. No losses or claims.