Air Raid on Bonn 24 August 1944?

[onavik]

A friend asked if I could help him with his Research - and he provided the following information:

- Looking for a man called Jean-Pierre (French, Canadian or Belgian - or maybe just a nickname?)
- Crewmember (gunner) on a raid on Bonn 24 August 1944
- The bomber had a 4-man crew
- Crashed near the Alps after the attack
- The Squadron operated out of Western France

I haven't been able to find any information concerning an air raid on Bonn on this date. While the information seems to be a little 'inaccurate' in some areas, I have a hunch that we're looking for a light bomber squadron of the 9th USAAF. Maybe a B-26 squadron, even though the B-26 had a bigger crew than 4...
(Or possibly Free French?)

Any information on the person/aircraft/unit - or advice on how to proceed - would be highly appreciated!

v/r,
Oystein

[FrankieS]

Hi !
Sure about the date and Bonn as target?

The only non-B-17 and B-24 USAAF bomber lost according to MACR's that day was
a B26 that ditched in the mediterranean:
7998 440824 B-26 42-95768 "Becky" 320 441 Jenkins, Harry Montpellier railroad bridge Mediterranean ditch

Major USAAF bombardments onto Bonn took place on:
12.08.1943
04.03.1944
22.04.1944
09.09.1944
18.12.1944
06.01.1945
10.01.1945

bye,
Frankie

[onavik]

Thanks for the info Frankie!

No, I'm not sure about the date or target. What puzzles me is the crew size (four) and that the unit operated out of Western France. I'm not familiar with any type with that crew size, but I'll assume that we're talking about a medium or light bomber. Also, I was under the impression that units on the Continent mainly operated in support of the Army, so I'm not sure about the target either...

Nevertheless, it's worth looking into the dates you provided!

I'll try to summarize the info:

- Jean-Pierre (French, Canadian or Belgian - or maybe just a nickname?)
- Crewmember (gunner)
- Crashed end of August 1944

Maybe:
- Operated out of Western France

Thanks,
Oystein

[hanshauprich]

What about the Mitchell III from 2nd TAF but even at December 1944 or January 1945? At that time they attack targets behind the German Frontlinie during/after the Battle of the Bulge.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by onavik

- Crashed end of August 1944

Maybe:
- Operated out of Western France

Thanks,
Oystein

August 1944 seems early for a bomber unit to be operating from a French airbase. Fighters were flying from strips in the Normandy beach head quite soon after the invasion but I'm not sure when Allied tactical bombers first flew from French bases. The French interior wasn't free of German forces until very late in August (or at least those Germans that still remained were busy trying to get home) and the Allies had to put effort into bringing captured bases back into use after bomb-damage, deliberate sabotage, booby-trapping etc.

[onavik]

Originally Posted by hanshauprich

What about the Mitchell III from 2nd TAF but even at December 1944 or January 1945? At that time they attack targets behind the German Frontlinie during/after the Battle of the Bulge.

The 2nd TAF is of course also an option. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

August 1944 seems early for a bomber unit to be operating from a French airbase. Fighters were flying from strips in the Normandy beach head quite soon after the invasion but I'm not sure when Allied tactical bombers first flew from French bases. The French interior wasn't free of German forces until very late in August (or at least those Germans that still remained were busy trying to get home) and the Allies had to put effort into bringing captured bases back into use after bomb-damage, deliberate sabotage, booby-trapping etc.

Nick, I agree that August 1944 seems early. This indicates two alternatives:

1. After August 1944
2. Airbase in the UK

I'll check With my friend to see if we can refine the information.

Thanks,
Oystein