Mission 7
Mission Summaries > Decenber 1943
FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 1943
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force):
Mission 171:
Various targets in France are hit; 19 B-17's and 6 B-24's are lost.
200 of 236 B-17's and 57 of 60 B-24's hit the Bordeaux-Merignac, Cognac-Château Bernard and Landes de Bussac Airfields at 1211-1315 hours; they claim 17-13-27 Luftwaffe aircraft; 18 B-17's and 5 B-24's are lost, 8 B-17's and 2 B-24's are damaged beyond repair and 103 B-17's and 5 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 9 KIA, 36 WIA and 231 MIA.
57 B-17's are dispatched to hit a blockade running ship at Gironde but cannot find the target; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 3 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA and 5 WIA.
120 of 125 B-17's hit the industrial areas at Paris-Ivry and Bois-Colombes at 1207-1227 hours; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 49 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 10 MIA.
These missions are escorted by 74 P-38's, 441 P-47's and 33 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 9-1-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38, 2 P-47's are 1 P-51 are lost; 1 P-38 and 6 P-47's are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 is damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 2 MIA.
The total bomb tonnage dropped by the Eighth Air Force in Dec 43, 13,142 tons, for the first time exceeds that dropped by the RAF Bomber Command.
Target: Saint-Jean-d’Angély, France - German Occupied French Airfield Target: Cognac-Château Bernard, France - German Occupied French Airfield Target: Landes-de-Bussac, France - German Occupied French Airfield | ||
8th Bomber Cmd F.O. No: | 171 | |
Aircraft Taking Off: | 22 | |
Aircraft Dispatched: | 22 | |
Aircraft Aborts: | 1 | |
Aircraft Over Primary: | 1 | |
Aircraft Over Secondary: | 1 | |
Aircraft Over Last Resort: | 19 | |
Aircraft Bomb Load: | 10 x 500 lb. AN-M43 General Purpose bombs | |
Group Bomb Load: | 208 x 500 lb. AN-M43 General Purpose bombs | |
Results: | Poor Poor Excellent | |
Tactical Mission Report: | Mission Data: Date: Primary Target: Secondary Target: Last Resort Target: Units Participating: Narrative: The 445th Group was briefed on the same MPI as the 389th Group, but due to navigational difficulties a last resort target was selected and hit. This target was the Landes De Bussac Airdrome. Strike photographs show several bursts in the hanger area with direct hits on two and possibly three hangers. At least three barracks buildings were hit and probably others. Direct hits were scored on dispersal areas to the North of the field with possible damage to shelters. The 2nd and 14th Combat Wings encountered moderate enemy air opposition and slight flak. The 445th Group encountered no flak during the bomb run at Landes De Bussac Airdrome, possibly due to the fact that enemy fighters were attacking the formation at this time. After the formation had turned from the bombing run, a few very inaccurate bursts of heavy flak were observed. It was estimated that not more than two guns were firing, and all the bursts were very low. Just after bombs away at Landes De Bussac, 5 Fw 190's dove right through the 445th Group formation trying to scatter the Group. They attacked singly and in only a few cases did they try to press home their attacks. | |
Losses: None | ||
Note: Aborted aircraft jettisoned their 10 bombs in the English Channel. All but 2 bombs were dropped on targets; 1 was dumped into the English Channel and 1 bomb was brought back to station. Air Combat Claims: 1 Destroyed, 0 Probables, and 1 Damaged | ||