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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 152 -- October 6, 1944, Friday AM Duren, Germany Marshalling Yards
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 152 -- October 6, 1944, Friday AM Duren, Germany Marshalling Yards
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Place of Take-Off : A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France A/C Dispatched : 41 Total -- 32 A-20G's, 9 A-20J's Target Ref : DUREN (MARSHALLING YARDS) Illustration : 6(D)(V) 5/6 Illustration Ref : 058080, 06070830, 063085, 07550995, 079104, 08251090 Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : 3 Window ships included. Results by flight ranged from Gross to Excellent, one flight PNB. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.82879,6.50447 (50° 49' 44" N, 6° 30' 16" 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 # 152 -- October 6, 1944, Friday AM
Duren, Germany -- Marshalling Yards
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. Sgt Fetko, C., Jr. |
2 668th 43-10125 5H-M A-20J Lt Andersen, C.J., Jr. Lt Babbage, W. S/Sgt Euga, P.G. S/Sgt Schafer, E.L. |
3 668th 43-21760 5H-Z A-20G Lt Kenny, J.P. S/Sgt Metzler, L.V. Sgt Sittarich, J.J. |
| 4 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Meredith, R.G., Jr. S/Sgt Hill, A.A. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W. |
5 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Saidla, J.B. Sgt Harris, J.M. Sgt Cavanagh, A.F. |
6 668th 43-10150 5H-N A-20G Lt Wright, J.W. Sgt Profita, P.J. Sgt Simmonds, J.R. |
| 1 670th 43-21467 F6-W A-20J Lt Shea, D.F. Lt Koch, O.R. S/Sgt Lee, R.E., Jr. S/Sgt Falk, F.G. |
2 670th 43-9674 F6-R A-20G Lt McBride, L.R. S/Sgt McKee, J.C. S/Sgt Eutsler, R.J. |
3 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Johnson, E.L. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. T/Sgt Goggin, J.F. |
| 4 670th 43-9905 F6-K A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. S/Sgt Paules, E.F. S/Sgt Martinez, L. |
5 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Sheley, S.H. Cpl Paladino, D.V. Sgt Tharp, F.M. |
6 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Popeney, H.V. Sgt Arnett, W.E. Sgt Candler, H.C.S. |
| 1 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Lt Monroe, H.A. Lt Kirk, R.L. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Risko, S. |
2 670th 43-21810 F6-P A-20G Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt Swafford, J.O., Jr. Pvt Torres, I. |
3 670th 43-9750 F6-M A-20G Lt Ostrander, W.B. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E. S/Sgt Binney, I. |
| 4 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt McGlohn, C.L. S/Sgt Moran, J.W. S/Sgt Driskill, P.B. |
5 670th 43-10187 F6-H A-20G Lt Barausky, P.P. S/Sgt Wilson, B.R. S/Sgt Hall, M. |
6 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Lt Sparling, J.R., Jr. S/Sgt Leahigh, L.L. Sgt Harmon, C.D. |
| SPARE 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Cornell, R.H., Jr. S/Sgt Carter, A.E. Pvt Reid, K.A. |
| 1 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Capt Osborne, A.E., Jr. Lt Forma, W. Sgt Newell, S.P. S/Sgt Lagerman, K.G. |
2 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Svenson, R.R. S/Sgt Fild, P.G. S/Sgt Pfenning, G.H. |
3 668th 43-9362 5H-L A-20G Lt Cannon, L.E. Sgt Robinson, J.W. Sgt Brzezinski, E.P. |
| 4 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. Sgt Felkel, J.W. Sgt Heitell, S.L. |
5 668th 43-9894 5H-R A-20G Lt Colquitt, J.K. S/Sgt Raines, D.E. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M. |
6 668th 43-21809 5H-A A-20G Lt Parker, P.E. Sgt Galloway, A.F. Sgt Kochan, S.J. |
| 1 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Capt Peck, W.A. Lt Madenfort, J. S/Sgt Prindle, C.A. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E. |
2 669th 43-9963 2A-L A-20G Lt Sorrels, D.W. Cpl Triber, H.I. Cpl Malara, V.A. |
3 669th 43-10190 2A-I A-20G Lt Tripp, W.F., Jr. S/Sgt Scott, J.O. S/Sgt Mallory, D.F. |
| 4 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Siggs, W.C. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. S/Sgt Basford, F.P. |
5 669th 43-9943 2A-Z A-20G Lt Butler, G.S. Cpl McClain, H.B. Sgt McGaughy, W.S. |
6 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Robertson, R.B. S/Sgt Cheney, M.W. Sgt Reiter, G.E. |
| 1 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt Adams, J.D. Lt Hanlon, R.J. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Zeikus, A.J. |
2 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Lt Pair, H.F. Lt Corum, J.L. S/Sgt Marion, H.A. S/Sgt Adams, V.P. |
3 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Andrews, H.D., Jr. S/Sgt Cook, G.M. S/Sgt Werley, E.R. |
| 4 671st 43-9841 5C-O A-20G Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G. |
5 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Henderson, F.W. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. S/Sgt Best, H.T. |
6 671st 43-9719 5C-J A-20G Lt Estes, C.L. S/Sgt Orvold, C.R. S/Sgt DiMartino, A.E. |
| SPARE 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt Winn, A.J.P. Cpl Davis, W.G., Jr. Sgt Stephenson, G.G. |
| 1 671st 43-22065 5C-E A-20J Lt Greenley, R.E. Lt Mitchell, R.H. S/Sgt Rzepka, J.J. S/Sgt Fandre, B.G. |
2 669th 43-10159 2A-G A-20G Lt Land, W.H. S/Sgt Abriola, D.R. Sgt Fair, V.F. |
3 669th 43-10155 2A-V A-20G Lt MacManus, P.F.E., Jr. S/Sgt Rogers, J.L., Jr. S/Sgt Fleischman, G.I. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 152 -- October 6, 1944, Friday AM
Duren, Germany -- Marshalling Yards
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
Weather kept the planes on the ground until the 6th when they returned to attack the Duren marshalling yards. This time with a little break in the weather they hit the target with good to excellent results and destroyed buildings, cars, and damaged tracks. Major Price and Captain Osborne led the two boxes. The crews received their first taste of flak for the month. It was moderate but fairly inaccurate although ten planes received battle damage.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 161
Mission #152 - 6 October - Duren Marshalling Yard. Major Price and Lt. Hand, BN and Captain Osborne with Lt. Forma, BN led boxes. Lts. Adams, - Hanlon, BN, Lts. Pair and Corum,. BN, and Lts. Greeley and Mitchell, BN, Captain Peck and Lt. Madenfort, BN, led flights. This important target assisted Lt. General Hodges' troops gain possession of an extensive marshalling area for Germans, readying troops and ammo to reach front lines. Cutting off those supplies helped Hodges do their job. Flak met the group, causing extensive damage to some planes. Window strips helped the higher flying flights, but as the strips floated down they assumed the altitude of the following lower flying boys, our groups, so they suffered the hits from moderate flak. Bombing results rated from excellent to fair, with one flight not dropping due to the bombsight gyro tilting in the wrong direction.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On the 6th, however, Captain Peck, Lt. Madenfort, B-N, led their flight through moderate flak that protected the target to score good results on the Duren Marshalling yards. Heavy damage was inflicted.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Technical Sergeant Everts' A-20 Havoc #224, "Miss Laid", was first
in the ETO to complete one-hundred missions. Never once during these
one-hundred missions was the plane forced to return because of
mechanical failure. The original engines that powered "Miss Laid" on
the first mission on 3 March 1944 against an enemy held airdrome at
Poix, France were still in use on the 100th mission, never having been
changed.
The 100th mission was an attack on the Duren marshalling yards on
6 October 1944. Old "Miss Laid" was repainted and renamed "La France
Libre" and dedicated to represent the unity and good will between our
country and the new French nation. Captain Monroe, and Staff Sergeants
Kidd and Risko, who had flown 224 on its first mission, and most of
the one-hundred missions, took part in the ceremony. Technical
Sergeant Royal S. Everts, crew chief, who had cared for the plane
through its 100 missions and was primarily responsible for its
remarkable record, also participated. The ceremony was attended by
French and American dignitaries. MMe Monique Rolland, the beautiful
French actress, christianed "La France Libre". Brigadier General
Strahm, Ninth Air Force Chief of Staff, dedicated the planes's future
missions to the French Nation and People. General Martial Valin,
Commanding General of the French Air Force, and Charles Tillon, French
Minister of Air, accepted the dedication for the French people and
spoke over a world hook-up, speaking of the ceremony as a "symbol of
the fraternity of our two nations." General Duncan, General Backus,
and Colonel Aylesworth also participated in the ceremony.(See Exhibits
attached.).
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
The weather man was finally swayed back to the Allies side on October 6th, and all the French-base Havocs and Marauders turned their efforts on the targets they had been trying to hit the two days previous. The 416th picked the town of Duren again, and this time the bombs were released with damaging results. This town which was reported to be a main point of debarkation for troops and supplies bolstering enemy defenses in the Aachen sector was under attack for more than an hour as the medium and light bombers laid down a 400-ton barrage in advance of the U.S.First Army. Duren is the immediate objective of Lt. General Hodges' American troops.
As usual, the 416th racked up a good bombing record with one excellent, two goods and a fair. One flight failed to bomb on the primary when a flak hit tumbled the gyro on the bomb run. However, the pattern fell on a factory and other buildings, probably destroying them. Lt. Adams and Lt. Hanlon led the third flight in the second box, but did not meet with much luck. The run was made on verbal corrections after the P.D.I. had failed. The plane was still in a bank when the bombs went away and landed in a field a good distance from the A.P.
Moderate heavy flak varying from accurate to inaccurate was encountered in the target area, and 10 ships received battle damage. The use of window was effective for the early flights over the target, but its efficiency was reduced by the fact that some of it was at the same altitude of the low flights. All the crews returned in tact.
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[October 6, 1944], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, October 6, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |