The Daily Briefing

On 17 August 1942, the United States VIII Bomber Command launched its inaugural heavy bomber attack on Nazi-occupied Europe. Eighteen Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress bombers from the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at RAF Polebrook, England, targeted the massive railroad marshaling yards at Rouen-Sotteville, France. Major Paul Warfield Tibbetts, Jr., piloting the lead aircraft, *Butcher Shop*, guided the formation. Brigadier General Ira Clarence Eaker flew a diversionary raid along the French coast in *Yankee Doodle*. The mission marked a pivotal moment in the strategic bombing campaign.

Twelve B-17Es reached the target, dropping 36,900 pounds of bombs from 23,000 feet between 1739 and 1746 hours. Accuracy was good, with a direct hit destroying the locomotive shops. All bombers returned to base by 1900 hours, though two were damaged. American gunners claimed one Luftwaffe aircraft. The B-17E, a major redesign of the B-17D, featured a new aft fuselage, tail turret, and power-operated dorsal and ventral turrets. This mission, led by Tibbetts—who would later fly the *Enola Gay*—demonstrated the growing reach of American air power in the European theater.