The Eighth Air Force Historical Society

Missions

MISSION DETAILS

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Narrative - Official Air Force Mission Description

Mission 382: 1,029 bombers and 682 fighters attack marshaling yards and aircraft industry targets in Germany and rail targets in France and Belgium; the fighters claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1 bomber and 3 fighters are lost:

1. Of 246 B-17s, 36 hit Luxeuil marshaling yard, France; 30 hit Florennes/Juzaine Airfield and 4 hit Namur marshaling yard, Belgium; 23 hit Gilze-Rijen Airfield and 12 hit Roosendaal marshaling yard, The Netherlands; and 3 hit targets of opportunity; 45 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 4 WIA.

2. 287 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshaling yards in Germany; 88 hit Osnabruck, 54 hit Schwerte, 52 hit Oeske and 50 hit Hamm; 1 B-17 is lost and 58 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 10 MIA.

3. 491 B-24s are dispatched to hit rail targets in France and Belgium but are recalled due to clouds; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 7 damaged.

4. 4 of 5 B-24s hit rail bridges at Beaumont-sur-Oise and bridges at Melun without loss; Azon radio-controlled bombs are unsuccessfully used against the bridges. Escort is provided by 193 P-38s, 180 P-47s and 309 P-51s; P-38s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground with 1 P-38 being damaged; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA) and 3 are damaged; P-51s claim 3-0-1 aircraft on the ground with 2 P-51s lost (pilots are MIA). 674 Ninth Air Force fighters provide support; no claims or losses.

Fighter-bomber missions against German airfields with 500 lb (227 kg) and 100 lb (45 kg) GP bombs:

1. 78 of 81 P-47s hit Gutersloh Airfield; they claim 5-1-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is damaged.

2. 35 P-38s attack Rehein/Hopsten Airfield using DROOPSNOOT methods; they claim 5-0-0 aircraft on the ground.

22 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions over France without loss.

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: Gilze-Rijen, Netherlands Airdrome. Crews Dispatched: 14 (358BS - 0, 359th - 0, 360th - 7, 427th - 7). Crew Members Lost or Wounded: 1 wounded by flak. Length of Mission: 4 hours, 45 minutes. Bomb Load: 12 X 500 lb M-43 G.P. bombs. Bombing Altitude: 20,300 ft. Ammo Fired: 205 rounds. The airdrome of Gilze/Rijen, Belgium was bombed when towering storm clouds prohibited the Group from bombing the primary target, the railroad marshalling yards at Colmar, France. The target of opportunity was bombed from 20,000 feet and 320 500-lb. G.P. M43 bombs were dropped. The bombs were seen bursting in the center of a wooded area on the NNW edge of the airdrome. The woods reportedly concealed the barracks area. Hits were also seen on the Breda/Tilburg highway. Meager and inaccurate flak was encountered over the target and accurate flak in the Brussels area. Two B- 17s sustained major and six minor flak damage. Aircraft were "seen targets" most of the time over enemy territory. One aircraft returned without bombing after it was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the Brussels area. Its 12 500-lb. bombs were jettisoned and Lt. Flick returned his B-17 #42-107099, Old 99, 427BS early and alone. Six enemy fighters were observed, but due to the heavy haze conditions, they couldn't be identified. No enemy attacks were sustained. Friendly fighters did an excellent job of rendezvousing, especially notable since the Group was far off course. The weather information, according to Capt. Davis, lead navigator, was "absolutely no good." All Group aircraft returned to England. One landed at Chipping Ongar. One man was seriously wounded by flak -- Sgt Theo T. Montfort on the Flick Crew. 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 #8: Recalled from Belgium. Command Pilot: LeBAILLY. 24 aircraft were dispatched to a Belgian target with 75 tons of bombs, but recalled due to 10/10-cloud cover. Only 3 tons of bombs were dropped.	source: 34th Bomb Group Mission List compiled by Gary L. Ferrell http://valortovictory.tripod.com
351BG Mission Report - 12 aircraft were sent on this mission.	source: 351st Bomb Group web page http://www.351st.org/ken.harbour
384BG Mission Report - 384th BG Mission Number 121. Primary Target: Aircraft Plant - Colmar, France. Target Attacked : Target of Opportunity (Visual): Railroad Marshalling Yards - Roosendaal, Holland. 14 aircraft assigned to this mission: Completed Mission - 12. Aborted - 1. Spare, Returned As Briefed - 1 42-97320 Eakins, Robert N - Aborted at 0951 hrs b/c #1 and #3 engine oil temperatures read 90-100 degrees and #3 oil pressure was 45 lbs at altitude; 10x500GP rtd to base	source: 384th Bomb Group web page http://384thBombGroup.com/
392nd Bomb Group Mission Report	source: 392nd Bomb Group web page http://www.b24.net/missions/
398th Bomb Group Mission report	source: 398th Bomb Group web page http://www.398th.org/
401BG / 613BS Mission Report - The 613th crews in the Low Squadron position of the Group formation. Crews: Fox, Fowler, Lemmons, Fitchett. The improved bombing record of the Group was bettered by this operation for the bombing was excellent. Besides covering the MPI the pattern measured about 1000 feet by 1200 feet. No enemy aircraft were observed and there was no flak at the target. All crews returned safely.	source: 613th Bombardment Squadron History
401BG / 614BS Mission Report - Lt. Col. Seawell led the 14 401st aircraft as the Low Box of the 94th CBW, using the new 12 ship formation. The bomb patterns were excellent, measuring about 1,000 feet by 1,200 feet and covering the MFI. No enemy aircraft were seen and no flak encountered at the target. Of the 1,029 bombers and 682 fighters sent out that day only one bomber and three fighters were lost. Something new was also tried on this last day of May when the 458th Bomb Group flying out of Horsham St. Faith tried to bomb some French bridges with the radio-controlled Azon bomb - without success. Crews: Smith Rozzell Lipka Kenney.	source: 614th Bombardment Squadron History www.401bg.org
401BG / 615BS Mission Report - With a weather front going up to 26,000 feet in some areas only about a third of the 1,029 aircraft sent out by the 8th A.F. were able to find a target. The 14 aircraft of the 401st, under the leadership of Lt. Col. William T. Seawell, were part of a Wing of 36 aircraft that succeeded in finding their primary target, the only formation in the 1st Air Division to do so. This was another bulls-eye for Capt. Kuenning, the 615th marksman. The Wing dropped down to the briefed altitude of 17,000 feet for the bomb run, and a good run was made with excellent results. The strike photo's showed that they had hit the hangar and the administration area of the airfield. The 615th Crews flying on this mission were: Grinham (with Lt. Col. W.T. Seawell), Trimble, Di Siano, Parr.	source: 615th Bombardment Squadron History www.401bg.org
44BG Mission Report - The 67th Squadron closed out the month by putting up nine aircraft along with 11 others from the 44th on a scheduled mission to Brussels, Belgium. However, no bombs were dropped because of bad weather. Meager inaccurate flak came over Dunkirk; and we had excellent fighter support. However, all aircraft were given sortie credit for the abandoned mission. Lt. Mercer's crew took off in "Eight Ball" with the target being the marshalling yards at Brussells, Sgt. Kipnes adds that upon arriving at the enemy coast they ran into heavy, thick clouds which were as high as 25,000 feet. Mission was aborted when they were about 10 minutes from target. Evidently we weren't permitted to drop bombs by PFF into the heart of Brussels for fear of missing target and killing many Belgium people. Our ship "8 Ball" was a brand new ship and had no camouflage paint. It was all bright and shiny aluminum plane. We can now increase our cruising speed by 10 to 15 MPH. Bomb load 8 x 1000 lb. Flew lead ship in our element.	source: 44th Bomb Group web page http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg
446th Bomb Group Mission Report Longuy, France Bad weather forced this mission to be recalled. One plane crashed shortly after take-off; all men aboard parachuted to safety.	source: 446th Bomb Group www.446bg.com
447BG Mission Report - Briefing was at 0430 hours and the targets were marshalling yards in Germany. The Hamm marshalling yards were bombed as a target of opportunity. The bombers were loaded with 1000 pound GP bombs and take off started at 0715 hours. As the Group crossed the Dutch coast at the mouth of the Rhine they reached their bombing altitude of 25,000 feet. Bombing results were rated as "Excellent" and the return trip was uneventful. Landing started at 1410 hours.	source: 447 Bomb Group Association http://www.447bg.com
457th Bomb Group Mission Link	source: 457 Bomb Group http://www.457thbombgroup.org
458th Bomb Group Mission report	source: 458th Bomb Group web page http://www.458bg.com/
458th Bomb Group Mission report - AZON 1	source: 458th Bomb Group web page http://www.458bg.com/
466th BG Mission Report "Mission recalled at 51-05N 3-20E due to 10/10 cloud coverage over target."; A/C MIA = 1; KIA = 0; WIA = 0; MIA = 10	source: 466th BG: Mission List (Mark Brotherton Collection)
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/
492nd Bomb Group Mission Link	source: 492 Bomb Group Mission Links http://www.492ndbombgroup.com
91st BG / 323nd BS Mission Report - The last day of the month found our bombers out again. Target was at Mulhouse, France. This mission was not carried out although the formation was in the vicinity of the target. It was considered an abortive-sortie. Bombs were not dropped. This is in keeping with the policy of not dropping bombs indiscriminately on France. Unless precision bombing can be carried out as planned, the bombs are brought back. Nine 323rd ships took part	source: 323rd Bomb Squadron / 91BG Mission Report http://www.91stbombgroup.com/
91BG / 401BS Mission Report - Today's target was the Railway Marshalling Yards at Mulhouse just 18 miles Northwest of Basle , Switzerland . MPI was the locomotive sheds and repair shops. Our Squadron provided 7 crews and aircraft. At enemy coast this wing ran into 10/10 undercast with minor breaks going into continent. This forced the formation to above 22,000 ft. This condition continued in to 0700 degrees east where the formation turned around and attempted to bomb the last resort target. After three unsuccessful attempts the operation was abandoned and formation returned to base.	source: 91st BG / 401st BS Mission Report http://www.91stbombgroup.com/

Non-Combat Accident Reports

Aircraft: B-17F (#42-3395). Organization: 560BS / 388BG of Knettishall, Suffolk. Pilot: Phillips, E A. Notes: take off accident. Location: Troston, Suffolk England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 4 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/	Aircraft: B-17G (#42-31361). Organization: 730BS / 452BG of Deopham Green, Norfolk. Pilot: . Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Deopham Green, Norfolk England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/	Aircraft: B-17G (#42-31525). Organization: 730BS / 452BG of Deopham Green, Norfolk. Pilot: Gaither, William C. Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Deopham Green, Norfolk England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/
Aircraft: B-24H (#41-29464). Organization: 18BS / 34BG of Mendlesham, Suffolk. Pilot: Paulnock, Russell S. Notes: landing accident. Location: Debach, Suffolk England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 4 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/	Aircraft: B-24J (#42-99983). Organization: 707BS / 447BG of Bungay, Suffolk. Pilot: Bibb, Lewis B. Notes: structural failure. Location: Catfield/ 1 1/2mi NE England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 5 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/	Aircraft: P-38J (#42-67308). Organization: 554FTS / 496FTG of Goxhill, Lincolnshire. Pilot: Di Carlo, Joseph J. Notes: killed in a crash destroyed by fire. Location: Melbourne/ 2 1/2mi W England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 5 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/
Aircraft: P-38J (#42-67734). Organization: 343FS / 55FG of Wormingford, Essex. Pilot: Wright, Whitelaw (NMI) Jr. Notes: landing accident. Location: Wormingford, Essex England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 4 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/	Aircraft: P-47C (#41-6330). Organization: / 4SAD of Hitcham, Suffolk. Pilot: Peeples, Lamar (NMI). Notes: crashed due to engine failure. Location: Hitcham, Suffolk England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 5 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/	Aircraft: P-51B7 (#43-6793). Organization: 376FS / 361FG of Bottisham, Cambrdigeshire. Pilot: Wright, Jimmie C. Notes: landing accident. Location: Bottisham, Cambrdigeshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/
Aircraft: P-51C (#42-103007). Organization: 555FTS / 496FTG of Goxhill, Lincolnshire. Pilot: Smith, Donald E. Notes: taxiing accident. Location: Goxhill, Lincolnshire England. Damage (0-5 increasing damage): 3 source: Aviation Archaeology http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/

Mission

MISSION DETAILS

Mission "8th AF 383 Fighter-Bomber" Attacks on German airfields May 31, 1944

Mission "8th AF 383 Fighter-Bomber"
Attacks on German airfields
May 31, 1944