B26 Losses for december 17 1944

[Laurent Rizzotti]

The USAAF official chronology is saying:

"TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, weather prevents bomber operations; 1,000+ fighters fly armed reconnaissance, defensive patrols, and attacks on bridges and gun positions; the IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands also support ground forces (8th, 28th, 78th, 99th, and 106th Infantry Divisions, 5th Armored Division, and V, VII, VIII, XII, and XX Corps) against the counteroffensive in the Ardennes and in a battle to hold the Saarlautern, Germany bridgehead."

But it is not 100% accurate. The B-26 42-43278 of 17th BG was lost this day (MACR 10713) and at this time this group was based in Dijon, France, and probably flying over the Rhine area.

The official Army Chronology (http://cgsc.cdm.oclc.org/cdm4/docume...OPTR=192&REC=6, click on section part 2) indicates that the Seventh US Army attacked the forts of Bitche with air support (no more details) and that XII TAC sent two raids of 120 medium bombers against German fortifications between Ober-Ottenbach and Steinfeld.

The only B-26 accident listed for this day is a taxying accident due to structural failure for B-26B 42-43284 of 443rd BS, 320th BG, at Rouvres, France.

Also French B-26 bombed around noon the railway station of Freiburg with 18 bombers of groups "Bretagne", "Maroc", "Gascogne" and "Sénégal" without loss.

Hope it helps

Laurent