| 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: Group lead, because lead ship had to be replaced; Capt Frink transferred to this ship. Landed away at Kimbolton; bombs returned. |
No Target Attacked |
| SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA: | ||||
| TYPE | SERIAL NUMBER | SQUADRON | SQ CODE | NAME |
| B-17F | 42‑5444 ⇗ | 545th | JD*N | WE DOOD IT |
| SORTIE CREW DATA: | |||
| POSITION | CREWMEMBER | UNIT | STATUS |
| Commander | Frink, Horace Everett⇗ | 547 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Pilot | Price, William Merriman, III⇗ | 547 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Navigator | Barkley, John William, 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 | Jackson, Billy J (IO)⇗ | 547 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Tail Gunner | Nelson, Earl James⇗ | 547 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Dailey, Donald William⇗ | 547 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Waist (Flexible) Gunner | Leigh, James Carl⇗ | 547 | Completed, Uninjured |
| Observer | Vivian, Donald E⇗ | 547 | Completed, Uninjured |