"In the first raid over western Europe
undertaken by USAAF heavy bombers, a single mixed squadron of
12 B-17s from the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group, escorted by RAF
Spitfire fighters, attack the Sotteville railroad marshalling
yard at Rouen, France, with more than 18 tons of bombs between
1739 and 1746 hours. The mission leader is Col Frank Armstrong,
commander of the 97th, and the pilot of the lead bomber (in which
Armstrong is co-pilot) is Maj Paul Tibbets (of Hiroshima fame).
Also along as an observer is BriGen Ira C. Eaker, the VIII Bomber
Command commanding general. (He was riding in the B-17 named "Yankee
Doodle"). Flak bursts result in superficial damage to two
B-17s, and there are no casualties. (The 88mm flak guns were
located on the hill behind my house - Côte Sainte Catherine).
Sgt Kent R. West, an aerial gunner, is credited with downing a
GAF (German Air Force - Luftwaffe) airplane, in this case one
of the GAF fighters that attacks the bomber formation. (Those
fighters were ME109s probably from either the Conches or Beaumont
le Roger airbase. The Germans had 10 or 12 Luftwaffe bases including
Rouen within a short radius from were I spent the war. Several
German Aces were based at Beaumont le Roger.)
August 18 - 5 Air raid warnings - no bombing. Canadian failed
landing in Dieppe.
August 19 - Air raid warnings following the failed Dieppe landing.
September 5 1942 USAAF. (B-17s) - Heavy damages and heavy French
civilian casualties in Rouen and suburbs. Ecole Michelet destroyed."
(Source: Rouen Newspaper of the
period)
NB : les commentaires de Michel LEVEILLARD sont en italiques
Trois photos des clavettes de sécurité
des bombes tombées sur Rouen en mars 1943.
Lien vers
la collection de Frank MALIVOIR proposant des photos rares sur
les bombardements de Rouen en 1944 ;
Lien vers un site très documenté sur
la vie des hôpitaux de Rouen durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale : il
faut chercher dans la liste plusieurs entrées concernant la Seconde
Guerre mondiale ;
Lien vers un site relatant l'histoire d'un équipage
de Lancaster qui a bombardé Rouen dans la nuit du 18 au
19 avril 1944 (lien entré le 20/08/2002).
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