416th BG Mission 17

416th Bombardment Group (L)

Mission # 17 -- April 13, 1944, Thursday AM

Yvrench Bois Carre and Petit Bois Tillencourt, France

NOBALL (XI/A/39 and XI/A/62)

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Summary of Operations

Field Order        : 265
OpRep #            : 2
Nature of Mission : Bombing
Mission Status     : Attacked
Bombing Altitude   : 11,500 - 12,000 feet

Take-off Time      : 0842
Time Over Target   : 1000
Landing Time       : 1131
Duration (Hrs:Min) : 2:49

Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England
A/C Dispatched     : 37 Total -- 31 A-20G's, 6 A-20J's
Target Operational Number: Z 3028 and Z 3140
Illustration       : A/39/6 and A/62/1
Illustration Ref   : 027039, 017015
Summary of Results : Fair to Good on both targets.

Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.18188,2.02290 (50° 10' 55" N, 2° 1' 22" 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)

Scanned original Mission 17 documents (multipage PDF files)

Mission Folder Reports Folder OpRep # 2 Fuel Use Additional Documents

If nothing happens on Click, check to see if the PDF file was automatically saved to your computer. Depending on Internet speed, the display or download may be slow.
These Public Domain, Declassified Mission documents were graciously provided to the 416th BG Archive by the dedicated staff of the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA).
An on-line index of records held by AFHRA up to 2001 is available at Air Force History Index.org.
Most of these PDF files are unaltered originals provided by the AFHRA, a few have been re-organized.
Pages may be out of sequence; files may contain scanned blank pages and/or pages scanned upside-down; some pages may be included in more than one file.
The "Mission Folder" usually contains the majority of documents for a Mission, including Field Orders, Status Reports, Pilot Interrogations, Photos (if available), etc.

Loading List 1, Box I

Loading List 2, Box II

Target Illustrations: XI/A/39/6, Yvrench Bois Carre (Left) and XI/A/62/1, Petit Bois Tillencourt (Right)

Because Yvrench's Bois Carre was the first to be identified by Allied Intelligence
as a V1 launch site, subseqent sites were also often called "Bois Carre sites"; although
V1 launch sites were also referred to as "Ski-sites" due to long, narrow buildings
with one end curved which "resembled giant skis laid on their sides".

Vertical photographic-reconnaissance aerials of a flying-bomb launch site
at Bois Carre, near Yvrench, Somme, France, discovered and documented by the agents of the Reseau AGIR.
Left: Site under construction (HU 92983),
photographed 3-Nov-1943 by RAF Flight Sergeant James McGinn Aitken of 541 Squadron, Sortie E/463. (Williams, 2014)
Right: 6 July 1944 after Allied air attacks (HU 92984).
The Left photograph confirmed intelligence reports that flying-bomb sites were being constructed in the Pas-de-Calais area.
ROYAL AIR FORCE: OPERATIONS BY THE PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE UNITS, 1939-1945.
copyright: IWM (HU 92983 and 92984)

Sketch done by French labourer/engineer Andre Camp working for the Germans at the site.
(from V-1 Flying Bomb)

Left: Robot ski site at Yvrench, France photographed on 9 November 1943 shows ski in process of construction.
Complete sites call for three skis, which are long low buildings of heavy concrete, used for storage.
Reason for curved end not yet known.
(Fold3.com, NARA ID: 342-FH-3A16047-53284AC)
Right: Low-level oblique photographic-reconnaissance aerial of the flying-bomb launch site at Bois Carre
near Abbeville, France, taken by a North American Mustang of No. 170 Squadron RAF.
The non-magnetic building (Richthaus) can be seen beneath its camouflaged canopy in the centre of the photograph,
while the buildings of the compressor and decontamination group are in the right foreground.
(ROYAL AIR FORCE: 2ND TACTICAL AIR FORCE, 1943-1945. IWM (C 4425))
Both photographs by RAF 170 Squadron, Sortie R/134/170 or R/135/170, 9-Nov-1943. (Williams, 2014)

See websites "V1 launch site Bois Carre" (PDF),
"V1-Heavy Base Yvrench Bois Carre" (PDF)
and "V-1 Flying Bomb" (PDF)
for more information, including photographs of still existing structures.

Included are Box, Flight and Position; Bomb Squadron; Aircraft Serial Number, Fuselage Code and Model; and Crew Members
transcribed from individual mission Loading List documents by Chris and Mary Adams and Carl Sgamboti.
Some information, such as Squadron, Serial Number, etc. has been expanded from other documents.

Box I -- Flight I
1 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Maj Willetts, D.L. Lt Royalty, P.G. S/Sgt Larronde, F.H. Lt Sutliff, G.F. [Sutliff (4th CCU)]	2 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Andrews, H.D., Jr. S/Sgt Cook, G.M. S/Sgt Werley, E.R.	3 671st 43-9707 5C-H A-20G Lt Smith, R.H. S/Sgt Foster, H.A. S/Sgt Rust, E.W.
4 668th 43-9640 5H-Z A-20J Lt Platter, E.T. Lt Jedinak, A. S/Sgt Johnson, K.L. S/Sgt Czech, J.L.	5 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt Perkins, R.D. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H. [A/C #937, C, (SPARE) substituted for #236]	6 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Schouten, J.T. S/Sgt Stockham, A.A. S/Sgt Williamson, R.R.

Box I -- Flight II
1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. T/Sgt Robbins, L.G. S/Sgt Simpson, D.H.	2 668th 43-9963 5H-N A-20G Lt Bartmus, G.F. S/Sgt Hibbs, C.L. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M.	3 668th 43-9379 5H-G A-20G Lt Shaefer, R.F. S/Sgt Judd, E.R., Jr. S/Sgt Fejes, J.A., Jr.
4 668th 43-9216 5H-E A-20G Lt Siracusa, L.J. S/Sgt Hume, J.N. S/Sgt Brown, F.E.	5 668th 43-9182 5H-B A-20G Lt Miracle, R.V. S/Sgt Sieg, B.C. S/Sgt Burkhalter, J.C.	6 668th 43-9684 5H-K A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Love, C.F. S/Sgt Adair, F.L.

Box I -- Flight III
1 669th 43-9743 2A-R A-20G Lt Marzolf, L.A. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G.	2 669th 43-9211 2A-C A-20G Lt Zubon, M. S/Sgt Tanner, J.R.L. S/Sgt Russell, W.C.	3 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Durante, A.R. S/Sgt Best, H.T. S/Sgt DeGiusti, I.R.
4 668th 43-9745 5H-I A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. Pvt Newell, S.P. S/Sgt Perkins, H., Jr.	5 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Bradford, B.H. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W. S/Sgt Hill, A.A.	6 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Ritchie, S.B., Jr. S/Sgt Newkirk, A.W., Jr. S/Sgt Anderson, E.A.

Box I
SPARE 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt Downing, W.E. S/Sgt Shaw, L.R. S/Sgt Bankston, R., Jr. [A/C #207 substituted for #937 (SPARE)]

Box II -- Flight I
1 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Maj Meng, W.J. Lt Powell, V.H. S/Sgt Stobert, R.F. S/Sgt Mayhew, A.E. [Mayhew (4th CCU)]	2 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Leonard, T.J. S/Sgt Evans, O.D. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A.	3 670th 43-9750 F6-M A-20G Lt Crispino, J.C. S/Sgt Walsh, T.I., Jr. S/Sgt Conopask, R.E.
4 670th 43-9455 F6-T A-20J Capt Hulse, D.A., Jr. Lt Bursiel, F.H. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E. S/Sgt Binney, I.	5 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt Moran, J.W. S/Sgt Driskill, P.B.	6 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Capt Moore, Z.R. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Risko, S.

Box II -- Flight II
1 669th 43-9450 2A-S A-20J Capt Clark, R.A. Lt Palin, W.H. S/Sgt Norton, C.Q. S/Sgt Citty, F.M.	2 669th 43-9941 2A-U A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. S/Sgt Wing, J.S.	3 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Behlmer, R.L. S/Sgt Kelly, W.J. S/Sgt Ferguson, W.G.
4 669th 43-9717 2A-N A-20G Capt Huff, M.J. S/Sgt Thompson, J.B. S/Sgt Hatch, H.F.	5 669th 43-9181 2A-A A-20G Lt Land, W.H. S/Sgt Alden, S.F. Sgt Molver, V.E.	6 669th 43-9673 2A-I A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. S/Sgt Nielsen, A.L. S/Sgt Fields, W.E.

Box II -- Flight III
1 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt McNulty, G.M. S/Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Addleman, R.F.	2 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Rooney, R.J. S/Sgt DiNapoli, S.F. S/Sgt McCleary, H.M.	3 670th 43-9227 F6-F A-20G Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. Sgt Stephens, D.W.
4 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Peck, W.A. S/Sgt Bergeron, A.E. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E.	5 669th 43-9189 2A-P A-20G Lt DeMun, E.E. S/Sgt Rosenstein, M. S/Sgt Carney, H.O.	6 670th 43-9978 F6-S A-20G Lt McDonald, A.A. S/Sgt Shields, J.J. S/Sgt Epps, E.T. [A/C #978 substituted for #390]

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 17 -- April 13, 1944, Thursday AM
Yvrench Bois Carre and Petit Bois Tillencourt, France -- NOBALL (XI/A/39 and XI/A/62)

"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives

On the following day two more NOBALL targets in the Pas de Calais area were attacked simultaneously. Although the results were unobserved, at the time, reconnaissance showed a fair to good result. The 37 aircraft flying in two boxes were led by Major Willetts, with Lt. Royalty, B/N, and Major Meng, with Lt. Powell, B/N. Again nine of our Aircraft supported three Marauder Groups in LeHavre attacks, dropping window.

"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 50 - 51

Mission #17 and, 18 - 13 April - Yvrench Bois Carre and Petite Bois Tillencourt Noball sites. Major Willetts and Lt. Royalty, BN and Major Meng and Lt. Powell, BN led boxes. Here again, the two boxes split up near the target sites and individually bombed separate targets with good results. Lts. Platter and Jedinak participated. Window dropping planes were led by Lts. Osborne, Meagher and Lesher. Moderate flak caused some damage to ships, but all returned to base safely. Bombing results were rated excellent and good.

Usual lousy weather kept all planes grounded. On 16 April, the anticipation of preparation for movements came to reality with an order came down, requiring a practice move to take place. Eager and quick packing and boxing up of documents took place and on the lTth at 0900 every squadron was ready to go. Trucks, loaded with gear, and personnel all packed with personal gear, lined up and the early echolon left the base. The second echelon left at 1000, all in an orderly manner, prepared for possible enemy action on the way. Things went pretty smoothly, included a "pit" stop after two hours, and all of a sudden the commanders realized no one made arrangements for chow. One of the most demoralizing situations for GIs is to not fortify their energy with good food. The usual K rations were issued, but not appreciated as much as a chow line feed.

Both echelons returned to base at 1430 and 1530 for the second group. In all, it showed that preparations for quick moves and actual movements. could be made when the time comes.

April Showers

April showers kept planes grounded , but not to cause too much leisure to our group, orders came down to the squadrons as reported by Lowell Geffinger, Adjutant of the 670th Squadron. He reported:

A group mobility exercise was held on April 17 to practice for possible future moves. The Field Order was received on April 16th and there followed a great deal of activity preparing for the move the following morning. All equipment was packed and loaded on trucks. Personnel were equipped and armed, and everything was ready to move by 0900 on the 17th. The advance echelon commanded by Captain Sheridan departed at 1000. The second echelon commanded by Lt. Geffinger departed at 1100. Both echelons followed a prepared route, and ready to act against any enemy attack., The advanced echelon returned to base at 1430 and the rear at 1540. Much was learned from this practice move which would be of help in any future move that might come about., A few minor delays along the route were encountered, possibly caused by insufficient briefing before the trip and also possibly inexperience.

"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

On the 13th, twelve crews participated when the Yvrench Bois Carre and the Petite Bois Tillencourt Noball sites were attacked. Following these missions there was a period with no combat activity due to bad weather conditions.

"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns

Today's target was another double "No-Ball", each box in the formation taking a different target. Major Willetts with Lt. Royalty as bombardier-navigator led the show. It was another successful mission, and the 416th Bomb Group was beginning to get "hot". Moderate flak was reported, but no fighters encountered.