Narrative - Official Air Force Mission Description
Mission 478: In the morning 670 bombers and 472 fighters are dispatched to hit tactical targets in France; 1 bomber and 1 fighter are lost:
1. Of 331 B-17s, 37 hit Joigny la Roche, 36 hit Jussy, 35 hit Auxerre, 35 hit Peronne, 33 hit Ham-sur-Somme, 32 hit Anizy-le-Chateau, 25 hit Frevent, 12 hit Tergnier and 11 hit Eu Bridges; 12 hit Doullens road junction, 12 hit Hesdin fuel dump, 12 hit Frevent railroad and road junction, 11 hit Laon marshaling yard and 15 hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 64 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA.
2. Of 339 B-24s, 58 hit Rilly la Montagne dump, 52 hit Belfort marshaling yard; 36 hit Gien, 34 hit Coulanges, 34 hit Neuvy-sur-Loire, 32 hit Sully, 30 hit Nanteuil and 10 hit Le Soulons Bridges; 11 hit St Dizier Airfield and 5 hit targets of opportunity; 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 54 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 7 WIA.
Escort for the 2 groups above is 433 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA); elements of 4 fighter groups afterwards strafe ground targets, claiming 23 locomotives, 18 trucks, and 55 train cars destroyed. Mission 479: During the evening 34 of 69 B-17s and 106 of 115 B-24s attack 12 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 23 B-24s and 28 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 5 WIA. Escort is provided by 209 of 227 P-51s; 1 is damaged beyond repair. Mission 480: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Netherlands during the night.
16 B-24s participate in CARPETBAGGER missions during the night. | Source: THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by Carter / Mueller, the Office of Air Force History, |
Mission Reports
303BG Mission Report - Target: Railroad bridges at Peronne & Jussy, France . Crews Dispatched: 50 (358BS - 13, 359th - 12, 360th - 12, 427th - 23). Length of Mission: 5 hours, 30 minutes. Bomb Load: 2 x 2,000 lb G.P. M34; 6 x 1,000 lb G.P. M34 bombs. Bombing Altitudes: 24,200 to 26,000 ft. Ammo Fired: 0 rounds. The Eighth Air Force switched to tactical targets in support of the ground forces. The 303rd BG(H) dispatched 50 B-17s in four Group formations. The 358BS, 360BS and 427BS formed the 41st CBW-A force of 38 aircraft led by Maj. George T. Mackin, CO 358BS. The 359BS flew 12 B-17s as the high Group of the 40 CBW-D formation. One aircraft aborted the mission: #42-39885 Sweet Rose O'Grady, 427BS (Lt. Bliss), No. 4 engine trouble. Weather was excellent with no clouds over the target. In spite of the good weather, bombing was poor and the 71 2,000-lb. G.P. M34 bombs missed the targeted railway bridge. The bombs on B-17 #42-97298 (No Name), 359BS (Lt. Stark), failed to release. The 40th CBW-D, 359BS formation dropped 70 1,000-lb. G.P. M34 bombs on the Jussy railway bridge, but the results were unobserved due to smoke in the target area. No enemy aircraft were seen and fighter escort was good. Both Wings found flak to be meager and inaccurate. One B-17 sustained minor battle damage. There were no casualties. Aircraft #42-31060 Poque Ma Hone, 427BS (Lt. Markos), landed at the 387BG B-26 airfield at Chipping Ongar. All other aircraft returned to Molesworth. More info on this mission at the 303BG website | source: 303rd Bomb Group web page http://www.303rdbg.com/ | 306BG Mission Report | source: 306th Bombardment Group website www.306bg.org/ | 34th BG Mission Report - Mission #36 Neuvy sur Loire. Command Pilot: FANDEL. 37 planes were dispatched and 2 aborted. 33 planes dropped 82.5 tons on the primary target and 2 failed to bomb. 35 Credit Sorties. Target was a bridge.
| source: 34th Bomb Group Mission List compiled by Gary L. Ferrell http://valortovictory.tripod.com | 384BG Mission Report - 384th BG Mission Number 159. Primary Target: Marshalling Yards - Beautor, France 40 aircraft assigned to this mission: Completed Mission - 34. Aborted - 2. Scrubbed - 1. Ground Spare, Unused - 3. 42-97271 Heim, Gerard Anthony - Turned back at 0846 hrs due to #2 runaway prop; ret 6x1000GP to base 42-97282 Cole, Alfred H - Turned back at 0850 hrs due to #2 runaway prop 42-97824 Lane, Edward W - Landed away Manston due to b/d | source: 384th Bomb Group web page http://384thBombGroup.com/ | 388BG Mission Report - The 3rd Air Division dispatched its forces to attack pilotless aircraft installations just inside the French Coast. The 388th furnished two 12 plane formations which flew individually. Wing formations were not effected for this mission. 12 A/C of the A Group were airborne by 1757 hours and the 12 A/C of the B Group by 1809 hours. None of our planes aborted. The two Groups formed without difficulty and proceeded to the Targets as briefed. The weather over the Target was CAVU and each Group attacked visually. Bombs were away from the A Group at 2035 hours from 23,000 feet. Bombs were away from the B Group at 2042 hours from 22,900 feet. Strike photos show excellent results. Lt. Pohl in A/C 42-37849, landed safely at this base after his entire crew, except the co-pilot, had bailed-out over the field. All crew members are safe. The ailerons of the aircraft had been shot away by flak and Lt. Pohl gave his crew the choice of bailing out or staying with the plane for an emergency landing. All of our a/c returned to base by 2305 hours. No en4ny a/c were seen on this mission. The A Group encountered meager but accurate flak at Cleres. The B Group encountered moderate and accurate flak at Rouen and St. Martin. | source: 388th Bomb Group web page http://www.388bg.info | 446th Bomb Group Mission Report Rilly La Montagne 32 planes bombed a pilotless aircraft storage site inside a former rail tunnel with good results. | source: 446th Bomb Group www.446bg.com | 467th Bomb Group Mission report | source: 467th Bomb Group web page http://www.467bg.com/ | 486th Bomb Group Flimsy report | source: 486th Bomb Group web page http://www.486th.org/ |
Non-Combat Accident Reports
Aircraft: B-17G (#42-102977). Organization: 349FS / 100BG of Thorpe Abbots, Norfolk. Pilot: Trapnell, Joseph (NMI). Notes: bailed out-engine failure. Location: Leiston/ 5mi SE England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 5 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: B-24H (#41-29545). Organization: 861BS / 493BG of Debach, Suffolk. Pilot: Millhollin, Robert L. Notes: bailed out out of gas. Location: Parkston/SE of Ipswich England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 5 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: B-24H (#42-52581). Organization: 838BS / 487BG of Lavenham, Suffolk. Pilot: Borchert, Harold D. Notes: crash landing. Location: Lavenham, Suffolk England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 5 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51B (#43-12438). Organization: 555FTS / 496FTG of Goxhill, Lincolnshire. Pilot: Gerbe, William T Jr. Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Goxhill, Lincolnshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51B10 (#42-106655). Organization: 374FS / 361FG of Bottisham, Cambrdigeshire. Pilot: Staples. Notes: landing accident. Location: England William V. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 5 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51C (#42-102998*). Organization: 555FTS / 496FTG of Goxhill, Lincolnshire. Pilot: Medoff, Earl (NMI). Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Goxhill, Lincolnshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51C-7 (#42-103749). Organization: 375FS / 361FG of Bottisham, Cambrdigeshire. Pilot: [parked aircraft]. Notes: ground accident. Location: Bottisham, Cambrdigeshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51D (#44-13610). Organization: / BAD2 of Warton, Lancashire. Pilot: [parked aircraft]. Notes: ground accident. Location: Warton, Lancashire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51D (#44-13873). Organization: / BAD2 of Warton, Lancashire. Pilot: [ground crew]. Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Warton, Lancashire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51D5 (#44-13631). Organization: 79FS / 20FG of Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire. Pilot: Baldwin, James H. Notes: crashed belly landing. Location: Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 5 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51D5 (#44-13673). Organization: 334FS / 4FG of Debden, Essex. Pilot: Gillette, Willard G. Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Debden, Essex England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: P-51D5 (#44-13772). Organization: 338FS / 55FG of Wormingford, Essex. Pilot: Freeman, Ray W. Notes: ground looped. Location: Wormingford, Essex England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ | Aircraft: UC-64A (#43-5397). Organization: 27PRS / 7PRG of Mount Farm, Oxfordshire. Pilot: White, Willie G. Notes: ground looped. Location: Le Molay/A-9 France. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ |
Mission Stats (Targets, Aircraft, Casualties, etc.)
Mission "8th AF 480" Night leaflet operation France, Holland; July 17/18, 1944 July 17, 1944Primary source for mission statistics: Mighty Eighth War Diary by Roger A. Freeman |   | Aircraft Sent | Aircraft Effective | Bomb Tonnage | Enemy Aircraft X-P-D | Enemy Aircraft (on gnd) X-P-D | USAAF Aircraft X-E-D | USAAF Personnel KIA-WIA-MIA | Notes | 6 | 5 | 0.0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1 aborted with mechanical problems |   | Mission Targets Click blue links for maps, photos and other documents. This will open a new tab in your browser | AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS Leaflet drop | | | | UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS Leaflet drop | | | | GONNEVILLE, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | BREVILLE, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | SERMENTOT, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | FEUGUEROLLES-SUR-SEULLES, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | AMAYé-SUR-SEULLES, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | CREANCES, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | LE BUISSON, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | LA FEUILLIE, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | PERIERS, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | RAMPAN, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | AMIGNY, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | MESNIL-EURY, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | MESNIL-VIGOZ, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | ABBEVILLE, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | AMIENS, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | | ST. QUENTIN, FRANCE Leaflet drop | | | |
| Aircraft Groups Click blue links for info on the group. This will open a new tab in your browser.
| 1ST BOMBARDMENT DIVISION | 422BS |
| | | |
| Aircraft Losses Click blue links for info on the MIA aircraft (if known). This will open a new tab in your browser. | | |
|
|
|
|
|