VIII Bomber Command 54
4 May 1943Photo research
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.
Mission Details
Description: DIVERSION
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 20
- Aircraft effective: 20
Description: DIVERSION
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 13
- Aircraft effective: 13
ANTWERP (Primary)
Description: FORD and GM PLANTS
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: No fighter escort on this mission.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 161.50
- People wounded in action: 3
- Aircraft sent: 79
- Aircraft effective: 65
- Aircraft damaged: 16
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-727142
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Jersey Bounce Jr
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Iza Vailable
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Wallaroo
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Luscious Lady
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 303rd Bomb Group 419th Bomb Squadron 427th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fast Woman : Fast Worker MK II
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 31-Dec-2014. Added # effective to description, same source as previous.
Lee Cunningham 31-Dec-2014. Description and note 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'.