| 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 Comments: Crash-landed near Whittlesey, UK (east of Peterborough) on return; crew bailed out safely, although minor injuries typical of a parachute descent were undoubtedly sustained; pilot and copilot rode ship down and were uninjured. Bombs had been jettisoned. |
N/A |
| - SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | |||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQ CODE | NAME |
| B-17G | 42-31073 | SO*D | BILLIE-DEL |
| - SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Pilot | Stier, George Withers | 546 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Co-pilot | Bertram, Harold John | 546 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Navigator | Harvey, Ralph Oscar | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Bombardier | Heine, Robert Paul | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Radio Operator | Schliske, Hilbert Laverne | 546 | Wounded |
| Engineer/Top Turret | Kane, Francis Patrick | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Ball Turret | David, Alfred Alme | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Tail Gunner | Mock, Melvin Bert | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Norton, Richard Anthony | 546 | Wounded |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Duddy, Martin Joseph | 546 | Bailed Out Over England |