416th BG Mission 4

Flight I
1 670th 41-3380 F6-C A-20B Maj Towles, C.S., Jr. Lt Smith, W.L. S/Sgt Johnson, K.L. S/Sgt Czech, J.L.	2 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt Perkins, R.D. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. Sgt Linneman, R.H.	3 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt Zubon, M. S/Sgt Russell, W.C. T/Sgt Tanner, J.R.L.
4 670th 41-3387 F6-M A-20B Capt Dunn, L.F. Lt Royalty, P.G. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G.	5 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Wheeler, R.V. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. Sgt Corrin, E.W.	6 670th 43-9227 F6-F A-20G Lt Schouten, J.T. S/Sgt Williamson, R.R. Sgt Feistl, J.E.

Flight II
1 671st 41-3369 5C-K A-20B Maj Willetts, D.L. Lt Jedinak, A. T/Sgt Larronde, F.H. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A.	2 671st 43-9203 5C-A A-20G Lt Durante, A.R. S/Sgt Best, H.T. S/Sgt DeGiusti, I.R.	3 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Cramsie, W.E. S/Sgt Fandre, B.G. Sgt Chvatal, F.R.
4 671st 43-9220 5C-E A-20G Lt Stockwell, R.E. S/Sgt Henshaw, C.R. S/Sgt Steward, J.	5 671st 43-9225 5C-G A-20G Capt Huston, L.F., Jr. Pvt Zeikus, A.J. S/Sgt Clearman, P.L., Jr.	6 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Andrews, H.D., Jr. S/Sgt Cook, G.M. Sgt Werley, E.R.

Flight III
1 669th 41-3386 2A-A A-20B Capt Meng, W.J. Lt Powell, V.H. Sgt Glynn, F.P. S/Sgt Stobert, R.F.	2 668th 43-9216 5H-E A-20G Lt McNulty, G.M. S/Sgt White, H.E. Sgt Palmer, T.A.	3 668th 43-9182 5H-B A-20G Lt McGlohn, C.L. S/Sgt Moran, J.W. Sgt Driskill, P.B.
4 668th 43-9379 5H-G A-20G Lt Gruetzemacher, R.O. Lt Bursiel, F.H. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Risko, S.	5 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. S/Sgt Friedlob, E.M. S/Sgt Eutsler, R.J.	6 668th 43-9223 5H-F A-20G Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. Sgt Maziasz, C.W.

SPARE 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Jackson, C.R. S/Sgt Riley, R.K. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J.	SPARE 669th 43-9226 2A-E A-20G Col Mace, H.L. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. Sgt Brayn, M.R.	SPARE 669th 43-9181 2A-A A-20G Lt Col Aylesworth, T.R. Sgt Addleman, R.F. S/Sgt Gossett, J.D.

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 4 -- March 7, 1944, Tuesday PM
Conches, France -- Airfield

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

The first successful mission was led by Major Towles, with Captain Dunn as Deputy Leader, on the 7th, against the same Airfield at Conches. Several of the twenty planes failed to drop their bombs, but 22,500 pounds of demolition bombs were dropped on the runways. The results were considered good.

"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 43

Mission # 4 - 7 March - Conches Airdrome. Major C. S. Towles with Lt. William Smith, BN led this mission. Captain Loyd Dunn and Lt. Pete Royalty BN - Major David Willetts and Lt. Albert Jedinak, BN, led flights. Twenty aircraft took part. At the target, one of the bombardiers had a problem with his bombsight and therefore did not drop his bombs, nor did the other planes in his flight. Otherwise, the demolition bombs dropped by the other flights, wreaked havoc (no pun intended) on the runways and taxi strips of the airfield.

Lt. Chester Jackson, flying at the tail end of a flight, banked his plane to see the bombs bursting on the target, his first view of bombs on enemy targets. In actuality, pilots could not see bomb hits, as they were flying in formation, keeping their attention on their position. The bombardier had to lean over his bombsight and stretch his head over the bottom glass to see his efforts. Tunnel gunners at the open hatch at the bottom of the plane also had a good view, and some planes carried photographers to take pictures of the burst, for record purposes. Some gunners acted as photographers.

"668th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

On March seventh a Group formation led by our former commander, Major Towles, at last dropped its bombs on the Airdrome at Conches. No members of the Squadron were present on this flight.

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

On March 7th, six of our crews again took off to attack Conches airdrome, with Bernay-St Martin airfield as a secondary target. Results of bombing on the primary target were rated fair. Because of mechanical difficulties in the bomb release mechanism, five aircraft failed to bomb.

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

Major Towles led an 18 ship formation, 10 of which were manned by 671st combat crew personnel on the next operational mission on March 7,1944; take off at 1335.

The A-20s picked up their fighter escort at the enemy coast and proceeded inland to the Conches Airdrome where they dropped 45 demolition bombs on the runways and taxi strips. No enemy aircraft was encountered, but a slight barrage of flak was seen.

Lt. Michael Zubon piloting an A-20 of another Squadron had engine trouble on the way back and landed at Hawkinge on the English coast where necessary repairs were made. The rest of the ships returned to the base without casualties. Due to a malfunction of the cameras, pictures of the bombed areas were unavailable.

"671tst Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcribed from USAF Archives

Approximately one month after arriving at Wethersfield the 416th Bombardment Group (L) flew on its first operational mission over enemy territory. It was not until four days later on March 7, 1944, though, the first bombs were dropped by the Group. The target on this mission was the Conches Airfield, about 50 miles west of Paris. This was the first mission in which combat crews of the 671st Bombardment Squadron took part. Certainly a large share of the credit for a successful mission should go to that Squadron, as the first two flights were made up almost entirely of their personnel. The formation was led by Major C. S. Towles, Ass'st Group Operations Officer with Lt. W. L. Smith as his B/N. His gunners were S/Sgt. K. L. Johnson, and S/Sgt J. L. Czech of the 671st Bombardment Squadron. Other Squadron Members and their formation positions were as follows :

2.  Lt. R.S.Perkins,           4.  Capt. L.F.Dunn, 
    S/Sgt. J.N.Sherry,             Lt. P.C.Royalty, B/N, 
    Sgt. R.H.Linnerman             S/Sgt. H.H.Wellin, 
                                   S/Sgt. L.O.Kutzer 



3.  Lt. M.Zubon,               5.  Lt. R.V.Wheeler, 
    S/Sgt. W.C.Russell,            S/Sgt. J.S.Brower, 
    T/Sgt. J.R.Tanner,             Sgt. E. Corrin, 



6.  Lt. J.T.Schouten, 
    S/Sgt. R.R.Williamson, 
    Sgt. J.E.Feistl.

The second flight of the formation of three flights was led by Major Willetts, promoted from Captain to Major, on February 9th 1944. The second Flight was as follows ;

1.  Major D.L.Willetts,      4.  Lt. R.F.Stockwell, 
    Lt. A. Jedinak, B/N,         S/Sgt. C.R.Henshaw, 
    S/Sgt. N.H.Lempkn,           S/Sgt. J. Steward 
    T/Sgt. F.N.Larronde 



2.  Lt. A.R.Durante,         5. Capt. L.V.Huston, 
    S/Sgt. H.T. Best,           Sgt. A.J.Zaikus, 
    S/Sgt. I.R.DeGuisti         S/Sgt. P.L.Clearman 



3.  Lt. W.E.Cramsie,         6. Lt H.D.Andrews, 
    S/Sgt. B.G.Fandre,          S/Sgt. C.M.Cook, 
    Sgt. F.R.Chvatal            Sgt. X.R.Werley

By this time all combat crew members were taking turn flying on mission as a part of the Group Formation. Nine Combat Missions were completed during the month of March.