416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 93 -- July 7, 1944, Friday PM Fontaine Le Pin, France Troops, Equipment
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 39 Total -- 34 A-20G's, 5 A-20J's Modified British System Reference: U-066447 Illustration   : 4801W LAVAL SHEET K 20 Illustration Ref : U-066447 Summary of Results : Unknown due to lateness of mission. Primary not attacked, instead attacked R/R Highway Bridge 1 3/4 miles S/W of Saint Pierre Sur Dives, Three ships dropped Window. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 48.97221,-0.30502 (48° 58' 20" N, 0° 18' 18" W) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (LZ1) vU066447) (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 # 93 -- July 7, 1944, Friday PM
Fontaine Le Pin, France -- Troops, Equipment
1 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Maj Willetts, D.L. Lt Royalty, P.G. T/Sgt Larronde, F.H. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A. |
2 668th 43-21719 5H-V A-20J Capt Prentiss, R.B. Lt McBrien, R.T. S/Sgt McCreery, J.E. S/Sgt Sylva, H.J. |
3 671st 43-10165 5C-H A-20G Lt Zubon, M. T/Sgt Tanner, J.R.L. S/Sgt Russell, W.C. |
4 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Platter, E.T. S/Sgt Johnson, K.L. S/Sgt Czech, J.L. |
5 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Wilds, H.J. S/Sgt Ashton, L.A. |
6 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Ames, W.H. Sgt Fessler, H.S. Sgt Brown, R.J. |
1 670th 43-10211 F6-O A-20G Lt Greene, W.J. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. S/Sgt Colbert, W.F. |
2 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt Shea, D.F. S/Sgt Lee, R.E., Jr. S/Sgt McCleary, H.M. |
3 670th 43-9680 F6-R A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. S/Sgt Miller, R.L. Sgt Cummings, W.D. |
4 670th 43-9750 F6-M A-20G Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Maziasz, C.W. |
5 670th 43-9978 F6-S A-20G Lt Sommers, D.T. Sgt Zaklikiewicz, S.R. Sgt Johnson, J.L. |
6 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Addleman, R.F. |
1 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Peck, W.A. S/Sgt Bergeron, A.E. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E. |
2 669th 43-9717 2A-N A-20G Lt Clark, H.B. S/Sgt Sabadosh, J.W. S/Sgt Floyd, C.F. |
3 669th 43-9840 2A-V A-20G Lt Robertson, R.B. Sgt Hay, J.E. Sgt Buskirk, J.A. |
4 669th 43-9961 2A-E A-20G Lt Siggs, W.C. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. S/Sgt Radlich, N. |
5 669th 43-10147 2A-K A-20G Lt Elliott, D.W. Sgt McGuire, J.J. Sgt Mani, J. |
6 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Blomgren, J.E. Sgt Bookach, M. Sgt Fleming, L.R. |
SPARE 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt Miller, J.H. S/Sgt Schrom, R.G. S/Sgt Galender, J.W. [No Sortie Returned as Briefed] |
1 670th 43-21467 F6-W A-20J Lt Rudisill, R.S. Lt Joost, R.H. S/Sgt Riley, R.K. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J. |
2 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Capt Huff, M.J. Lt Kupits, J. Sgt Clark, R.A. Sgt Basford, F.P. |
3 670th 43-9209 F6-K A-20G Lt Hall, R.B. Sgt Blackford, D.S. Sgt Burger, L.C. |
4 670th 43-9387 F6-H A-20G Lt Johnson, E.L. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. Sgt Cianciosi, A.A. |
5 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Grunig, D.B. Sgt Dias, M.E. Sgt Nowosielski, H.J., Jr. |
6 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Gruetzemacher, R.O. S/Sgt Gossett, J.D. Sgt Cochran, R.L. |
1 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. S/Sgt Simpson, D.H. T/Sgt Robbins, L.G. |
2 669th 43-9943 2A-F A-20G Lt Clausen, T. Sgt Fetko, C., Jr. Sgt Brown, D.M. |
3 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Shelton, E.L. S/Sgt Schenck, D.R. |
4 669th 43-9390 2A-G A-20G Lt Cruze, R.K. S/Sgt Love, C.F. S/Sgt Adair, F.L. |
5 668th 43-10176 5H-T A-20G Lt Welsh, A.J. Sgt Wright, R.E. Sgt Novak, S.G. |
6 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Harris, F.W. S/Sgt Hantske, D. Sgt Newell, S.P. |
1 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Miracle, R.V. S/Sgt Burch, R.W. S/Sgt Yost, C.H., Jr. |
2 668th 43-9745 5H-I A-20G Lt Mish, C.C. S/Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. S/Sgt Chustz, R.F. |
3 668th 43-10226 5H-E A-20G Lt Meredith, R.G., Jr. S/Sgt Fild, P.G. S/Sgt Pfenning, G.H. |
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 43-9935 5H-F A-20G Lt Colquitt, J.K. Sgt Giesy, S.H., Jr. Sgt Cherry, F.E. |
6 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Herman, A.E. S/Sgt DeBower, D.H. S/Sgt Jones, R.J. |
1 669th 43-9450 2A-S A-20J Lt Sommers, H.L. Lt McQuade, R.J. Sgt Melchoir, F.E. Sgt Holloway, R.G. |
2 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Behlmer, R.L. T/Sgt Kelly, W.J. S/Sgt Ferguson, W.G. |
3 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Perkins, R.D. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 93 -- July 7, 1944, Friday PM
Fontaine Le Pin, France -- Troops, Equipment
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
On the following day in a late evening mission, 39 aircraft took off to attack troops and equipment in a forest at Fontainele-pin. Finding it obscured by clouds, they made no attack. Sixteen aircraft chose as a target of opportunity a bridge southwest of St Pierre Sur Dives. There was no photo coverage because of the haze and darkness. The last plane landed at 2356 hours. Major Willetts, Lt Royalty, B-N, and Captain Rudisill, Lt Joost, B-N, led the two boxes.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 107
Mission #93 - 7 July - St. Pierre-Sur Dives Bridge. Major Willetts and Lt. Royalty BN led Box I with Captain Rudisill and Lt. Joost, BN leading Box II. (Rudisill was made Captain a few days ago). Congratulations to a swell guy! Captain Prentiss and Lt. McBrien, BN flew deputy to Box I leader and Captain Huff and Lt. Kupits, BN flew deputy to Box II leader. Lt. Sommers and McQuade led a flight. Take off was at 2000, by the time the formation got to the target, a combination of darkness, and haze guarded the target. Bombs went away, but results could not be determined, since the developed photos taken after the bomb drop could not be distinguished. The planes all made it back okay, and landed about midnight, again, the four hour mission really taxed the gas supply of the planes.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Lt Leonard received notification of his promotion to 1st Lt on July 7th. On this date the squadron had 11 crews on a mission dispatched to attack St Pierre Sur Dives.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
July 7th - July 16th , 1944
During the period from the Seventh of July through the 16th of July, the Group ran only six missions. The main reason for the slackening up has been the bad weather. The missions which were run were led by B-26 Pathfinders and the "bomb through cloud" technique was put into use. Many times during this period the crews went out to the ships, but were called back when the mission was delayed and then usually scrubbed. However, every now and then the group was able to sneak in a mission before it could be called off. That alone accounts for the six sorties in the last ten days... rather six missions.
No planes were downed by enemy action during this time and no crews were injured by flak. Quite a bit of flak was met on a few missions and some of the planes were shot up, although none serious.
Odds and Ends
On July 8th , 1944 Lt. Pair went on his third mission, the first in nearly three months. Lt. Ames and Lt. Withington are now regularly seen on the loading lists. These two pilots joined the Squadron a short time ago and have been doing pretty well for the length of time, with the Group S.O.P.s that each has had to contend with. Lt. Lackovich, a recent addition, is sweating out his first mission and is scheduled to go on the morning mission of July 18th ... after having completed a refresher transition course as put forth by Group Operations.
Just recently all of the older pilots -those who have been with the Squadron prior to coming overseas -have completed, or are preparing to do so their seven day operational leave. The regular 48-hour passes are still in affect. London has not been a very favorable spot to vacation lately as the Jerries have been putting up quite a few flying bombs. The boys complain about lack of sleep, although it is believed that there is a more underlying train of thought behind this lack of sleep excuse.
[July 7, 1944], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, July 7, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |