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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 130 -- August 26, 1944, Saturday AM Compiegne/Clairoix, France Fuel Dump
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 130 -- August 26, 1944, Saturday AM Compiegne/Clairoix, France Fuel Dump
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 36 Total -- 26 A-20G's, 10 A-20J's Tactical Target Dossier: 4902E/H/4 Illustration : 4902E/54 Illustration Ref : 031078 Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : Bombing results by flight ranged from Fair to Excellent. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 49.43408,2.83595 (49° 26' 3" N, 2° 50' 9" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on Google Maps, Visual match to Strike Photo) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 130 -- August 26, 1944, Saturday AM
Compiegne/Clairoix, France -- Fuel Dump
| 1 670th 43-22063 F6-A A-20J Maj Dunn, L.F. Lt Powell, V.H. S/Sgt Stobert, R.F. S/Sgt Glynn, F.P. |
2 670th 43-9455 F6-T A-20J Lt Monroe, H.A. Lt Kirk, R.L. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Risko, S. |
3 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt McBride, L.R. S/Sgt McKee, J.C. S/Sgt Eutsler, R.J. |
| 4 670th 43-9905 F6-K A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. Sgt Martinez, L. Sgt Paules, E.F. |
5 670th 43-21810 F6-P A-20G Lt Musgrove, W. Sgt Hall, M. Sgt Wilson, B.R. |
6 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Popeney, H.V. Sgt Candler, H.C.S. Sgt Arnett, W.E. |
| 1 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Lt Adams, J.D. Lt Hanlon, R.J. S/Sgt Clearman, P.L., Jr. S/Sgt Zeikus, A.J. |
2 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt Greenley, R.E. Lt Mitchell, R.H. S/Sgt Worden, H.C. S/Sgt Rzepka, J.J. |
3 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Miller, J.H. S/Sgt Schrom, R.G. S/Sgt Galender, J.W. |
| 4 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Capt Hixon, S.M. S/Sgt Griswold, R.M. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A. |
5 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. S/Sgt Brown, K.P. |
6 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Eastman, D.M. Cpl Johnson, R.J. Cpl Eaton, A.B. |
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Capt Osborne, A.E., Jr. Lt Forma, W. S/Sgt Lagerman, K.G. S/Sgt Burch, R.W. |
2 668th 43-10125 5H-M A-20J Lt Bartmus, G.F. Lt Hardy, J.F. S/Sgt Orr, J.R. S/Sgt Flacks, F.L. |
3 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Peede, L.G. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M. S/Sgt Hibbs, C.L. |
| 4 668th 43-10176 5H-T A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. S/Sgt Love, C.F. S/Sgt Adair, F.L. |
5 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Montrose, J.H. Sgt Gandy, R.S. Sgt Felkel, J.W. |
6 668th 43-9701 5H-H A-20G Lt McCready, T.D. Sgt Lemonds, W.E. Sgt Fuehrer, W.F. |
| SPARE 671st 43-9719 5C-J A-20G Lt Herman, A.E. S/Sgt Garrett, A.D. S/Sgt Young, J.O. [Returned Early as Briefed] |
| 1 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Capt Rudisill, R.S. Lt Joost, R.H. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J. S/Sgt Riley, R.K. |
2 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Nordstrom, A.W. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E. S/Sgt Binney, I. |
3 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Singletary, R.B. Sgt Wiggins, H.G. Sgt Cianciosi, A.A. |
| 4 670th 43-9674 F6-R A-20G Lt Shea, D.F. S/Sgt Lee, R.E., Jr. Sgt Licker, M. |
5 670th 43-9720 F6-F A-20G F/O Warren, J.R. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. Sgt Turpin, S.J. |
6 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Sewell, J.C. S/Sgt Hummer, J.A. S/Sgt Sampson, D.A. |
| 1 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Lt Meagher, J.F. Lt Burg, J.J. Sgt Roberts, J.H. S/Sgt Naifeh, F. |
2 668th 43-9894 5H-R A-20G Lt Mish, C.C. S/Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. S/Sgt Chustz, R.F. [Not Airborne] |
3 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Hill, L.E. Sgt Fetko, C., Jr. Sgt Brown, D.M. |
| 4 668th 43-9379 5H-G A-20G Lt Downing, W.E. S/Sgt Dickenson, E.S. S/Sgt Hornbeck, K.E., Jr. |
5 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Harris, F.W. S/Sgt Hantske, D. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. |
6 668th 43-21760 5H-Z A-20G Lt Colquitt, J.K. S/Sgt Raines, D.E. Sgt Metzler, L.V. |
| 1 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Capt Huff, M.J. Lt Kupits, J. Sgt Clark, R.A. Sgt Donnelly, W.W. |
2 669th 43-21469 2A-J A-20J Lt Greene, W.J. Lt Nichols, J.R. S/Sgt Colbert, W.F. S/Sgt Hodgson, A.T. |
3 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Siggs, W.C. S/Sgt Radlich, N. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. |
| 4 669th 43-9692 2A-M A-20G Lt MacManus, P.F.E., Jr. S/Sgt Rogers, J.L., Jr. S/Sgt Fleischman, G.I. |
5 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Hayter, E.R. S/Sgt Melchoir, F.E. S/Sgt Holloway, R.G. |
6 669th 43-21767 2A-N A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. S/Sgt VanDuyne, J.E. S/Sgt Rodgers, H.C. |
| SPARE 669th 43-10190 2A-I A-20G Lt Hall, E.P. Sgt Carstens, R.W. Sgt Sharp, R.P., Jr. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 130 -- August 26, 1944, Saturday AM
Compiegne/Clairoix, France -- Fuel Dump
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
An improvement in the weather allowed us to fly two missions again on the 26th. The first, against the Compiegne/Clairoix fuel tanks. It was a superb job of bombing. The 139 x 500 pounds of bombs that were dropped produced violent explosions and large fires which caused a large amount of damage to the fuel dump, possibly its destruction. Major Dunn, Lt. Powell, B-N, and Capt. Rudisill, Lt. Joost, B-N, were the box leaders.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 134 - 135
Mission #130 - 26 August - AM - Champiegne-Clairox Fuel Depot. Flights were led by Lts. Osborne and Forma, BN, - Lts. Meagher and Burg, BN, - Captain Huff and Lt. Kupits, BN, - Lts. Adams and Hanlon, BN, and Lts. Greeley and Mitchell, BN. Violent explosions and fires proved bombing excellence. No flak or enemy planes bothered the formation.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
An improvement in the weather allowed us to fly two missions again on the 26th. The first, against the Compiegne-Clairoix fuel tanks. It was a superb job of bombing. Capt. Huff, leading a flight, scored an "excellent", causing violent explosions and large fires which probably destroyed the tanks.
The afternoon of the same day found the Rouen ferrying area our target. Tons of German equipment was lined up waiting to be shuttled across the Seine before our troops completely cut them off. Weather again saved the Germans when poor visibility, haze, and cloud cover prevented all but one flight from bombing. Capt. Morton and Lt. DeMun, flight leaders, were forced to return their bombs. Some flak was encountered and Lt. A.J. Vleghels was forced to land in Normandy because of flak damage. Lt. Vleghels received minor wounds; the gunners were uninjured.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Eighteen crews took part in two missions on August 26th against the Compeigne Clairoix fuel dumps and the Rouen ferrying area.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
August 26th, 1944
The 416th swarmed over the continent twice on August 26th, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Both missions were a bid to immobilize Von Kluge's retreating armored forces. In the evening Major Willetts and Lt. Royalty led the formation loaded with fragmentation bombs to the Rouen area where the Germans had amassed heavy concentrations of motor transport, tanks, and other equipment as well as troops. The six flights were assigned different MPEs, but cloud coverage in the area prevented five of the flights from dropping.
Lt. Royalty was able to pick up his target, but just before going on the bomb run a small piece of flak pierced the nose of his ship, hitting him on the back of the hand. "Shorty" kept his head and released his bomb load on the target. Although no photos were taken, crews reported fair to good results. If Lt. Royalty's hand had not been where it was when the flak entered the ship, it is likely that it would have hit him in the face. Under the conditions P.G. can be recommended for a courageous bit of bombing.
Three B-26 Groups smashed at the same target with the Havocs and reports show the attack to be highly successful, although the cloud coverage cut down the effect somewhat. Flak was quite intense on and off the bomb run, but all the ships returned û 10 receiving battle damage.
Marauders and Havocs had previously wiped out every bridge crossing the Seine from Paris to Rouen, and the fleeing remnants of the German Seventh Army had to resort to barges and ferries to make the crossings, impending their movement, and allowing the air power to further disrupt their battered ranks.
In the morning the Bomber Command centered their attack on four key German fuel storage points, the 416th being assigned the Compienge/Clairoix fuel depot about 30 miles northeast of Paris. The 671st had only one bombardier-pilot team on this mission, and due to a discrepancy in drift by the bombardier, Lt. Hanlon, this flight failed to drop right on the target, but roads leading to the dump were hit and a few of the bombs caused damage to the depot. Three flights racked up excellents and the two remaining ones û good, for a hard ûto-beat bit of bombing. Crews reported loud explosions, flames and smoke rising from the badly hit depot. No flak was encountered and all ships returned to the base in tact.
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[August 26, 1944], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, August 26, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |