SORTIE REPORT #1302
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 Completed Mission
Comments: Landed away at Molesworth; bombs jettisoned.
No Target Attacked
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑37924 547th SO*T not known
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Stearns, Clarence Grover 547 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Garner, Walter Ernest 547 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator McCafferty, John Andrew 547 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Gerber, Leonard (NMI) 547 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Soto, Roman Serrano 547 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Barkhurst, David Luther 547 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Fulwider, Albert Clayton, Jr 547 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Martell, Warren Harding 547 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Robison, John Timothy 547 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Corrigan, Theodore Bernard 547 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 1302 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
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Report generated: 25 August 2025, 11:52 AM (PDT)
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