SORTIE REPORT #895
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1943‑11‑03 34 119 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Wilhelmshafen, Germany
Pathfinder Leads Attack: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as high group of the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing (CBW), which was the fourth (and last) wing on this mission, and contributed the High Squadron of the High Group of the Composite Wing (second wing) on today's mission. The target was completely obscured by a solid cloud cover. Bombs were dropped when the wing lead, a 'Pathfinder' aircraft, dropped theirs. This was the first 'Bombing Through Overcast' (BTO) operational mission led by radar-equipped B-17s of the 482nd Bombardment Group.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: Squadron of composite group.
Primary (PFF)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17F 42‑29987 547th SO*Q not known
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Price, William Merriman, III 547 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Nelson, Darwin George 547 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Harvey, Harry Blakely, Jr 547 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Arquette, Leroy Arthur 547 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Smith, Robert Eugene 547 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Beaty, Earl Richard 547 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Wheeler, Glenn Preston 547 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Retherford, Archie (NMI), Jr 547 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Dailey, Donald William 547 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Swift, Kenneth Gilbert 547 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 895 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
Report generated: 28 November 2025, 11:44 PM (PST)
Site design and content © 1999-2025 by Webmaster