| MISSION DATA: | |||
| DATE | 384th BG Mission # | 8th AF Mission # | 384th PRIMARY TARGET |
| 1943‑12‑31 | 48 | 171 | Target: Blockade Runner 'Orsone' (name of ship) Type: Transportation Location: [Mouth of River Garonne], France |
| Target Not Found: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the low group of the 41st Combat Bomb Wing on today's mission. The primary target was a ship reported to be at or near the mouth of the River Garonne. However, the target was not seen due to 10/10 cloud cover, while the secondary target was hidden by 8/10 clouds, so the formation returned without attacking. Bombs were mostly jettisoned in the English Channel. Due to weather and fuel shortage, most aircraft landed at other bases. | |||
| SORTIE DATA: | ||
| COMBAT CREDIT | STATUS | TARGET ATTACKED (MODE) |
| Yes |
Crashed In Allied Territory Comments: Ditched. Eight crewmen bailed out in vicinity of Offham, Sussex, landing safely, although minor injuries typical of a parachute descent were undoubtedly sustained. Pilot ditched aircraft in the English Channel, about 17 miles off of Eastbourne, East Sussex and was rescued. The Navigator sustained serious injuries but the cause is unknown; the mission records stating only that he was "seriously wounded in action." |
N/A |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | |||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME | GROUND CREW CHIEF |
| B-17G | 42‑37725 ⇗ | 546th | BK*G | not known | Schuyler, Charles Robert |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Pilot | Rich, John (NMI), Jr⇗ | 546 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Co-pilot | Wehry, George Ellsworth⇗ | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Navigator | Indest, Joseph Albert⇗ | 546 | Seriously Wounded |
| Bombardier | Marvin, William Vern⇗ | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Radio Operator | Montagne, Henry Julien Louis⇗ | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Engineer/Top Turret | Eklund, Howard Joseph⇗ | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Ball Turret | Henken, Norman (NMI)⇗ | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Tail Gunner | Goddard, Kenneth Douglas⇗ | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Jacobson, Donald Roger⇗ | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Louden, Jack Elmer⇗ | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |