Operation Aphrodite

[Brian]

Hi guys

I hope someone out there can help me with details of 562ndBS's B-17 drone (BQ-7s) losses/casualties late 1944. I have the following dates and notes:

4 August 1944: Two drones and two controlling B-17s off on first operation. One drone went out of control after first of two crew baled out; the other was killed. Names? Other BQ-7 shot down by flak after crew had baled out over England.

6 August 1944: two BQ-7s and four controlling B-17s off on second operation. The BQ-7 crews baled out as planned but one BQ-7 crashed into sea. The other BQ-7 circled before also crashing into the sea.

Date unknown: Two BQ-7 off to attack targets in Heliogoland. One pilot killed during bale out. Identity? BQ-7 reached target but believed shot down by flak.

Date unknown: Both BQ-7s crashed into sea on route to Heide/Hemmingstedt.

October 1944: Operation against Heliogoland. One shot down by flak, other crashed into sea.

October 1944: One BQ-7 failed to reach target in Heligoland, other crashed into sea.

5 December 1944: Two BQ-7s off to attack Hannover. One shot down by flak, other crashed near target but did not explode.

20 January 1945: Both BQ-7s missed target at Oldenberg. Last operation.

Any help will be most appreciated. Information required for my current book.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

From the official USAAF Chronology:

4 August 1944
Mission 515: The first APHRODITE mission is flown using 4 radio-controlled war weary B-17s as flying bombs; targets are Mimoyecques, Siracourt, Watten, and Wizernes V-weapon sites but none are hit; 1 drone B-17 crashes killing 1 crew. Escort is provided by 16 P-47s and 16 P-51s.

13 August 1944
Mission 549: 1 APHRODITE B-17 with 2,000-pounds (907 kgs) of bombs is launched against Le Havre; B-17, P-38 and Mosquito support aircraft assist; the target is missed and the Mosquito is destroyed by the exploding bombs.
(Note: this raid was not using BQ-7, but the "Natty" glider launched from a B-17. Details of the loss of the Mosquito can be found in Ospery Combat Aircraft nr 13)

14 September 1944
Mission 632: 2 B-17 control aircraft and 2 B-17 CASTOR drones fly an APHRODITE mission to the oil refinery at Hemmingstedt, Germany; the target is missed.

15 October 1944
Mission 678A: 2 of 9 B-17s make an APHRODITE attack on naval installations on Heligoland Island, Germany; 23 of 24 B-17s fly a cover mission to the same targets. Escort is provided by 15 of 16 P-51s and 2 P-38s without loss.

30 October 1944
Mission 693A: 2 of 5 B-17s make an APHRODITE attack on Heligoland Island, Germany; escort is provided by 7 of 7 P-47s. 26 of 27 B-17s, escorted by 8 of 8 P-47s, fly a cover mission to Heligoland without loss.

5 December 1944
Mission 739 is an APHRODITE mission with 2 B-17 Castor drones, 3 B-17 control and observation aircraft, a P-38 observation aircraft and 17 of 17 P-51s as escort; the P-51s claim 1-0-0 aircraft.

1 January 1945
Mission 774 (part 5): 2 of 5 B-17s fly an APHRODITE mission against Oldenburg without loss.

[Brian]

Many thanks once again Laurent. Thanks also for e-mail. Reply on the way.

Cheers
Brian

[shooshoobaby]

Brian - Do you have book " Aphrodite: Desperate Mission " by Jack Olson?
Mike

[Fairlop]

Hi,

During an Aphrodite mission to Mimoyecques V3 site on 12 August 1944 died JFK's older brother, Joseph Kennedy Jr.

Regards,
Michal

[Brian]

Thanks Mike and Michal

I have just ordered a copy of Olsen's book!

Cheers
Brian