Loading List 1, Box I




Loading List 2, Box II
(Note: Six Aircraft and Crews also Designated Window Missions)




Loading List 3, Box III




Route Map

Missing Air Crew Reports, Aircraft Accident Reports, and other incidents

Date	Report		A/C Serial # Type	Mis- sion #	Bomb Sq	Location	Personnel (Status when available)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	No_Report		43-9640 A-20J	116	668	Normandy	Osborne, Arthur E. Jr. (WIA) Forma, Warren NMI (WIA) Kelly, Earnest E. (Not Injured) Lagerman, K. G. (Not Injured)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	MACR 7872		43-9978 A-20G	116	670	Oissel Bridge, France	McManus, Thomas William Jr. (MIA, KIA) LaPointe, John H. (MIA, KIA) Hart, Gerald Edward (MIA, RTD)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	No_Report		43-21467 A-20J	116	670		Jackson, Chester Ronald (Not Injured) Maltby, Alfred H. (Not Injured) Burns, Donald E. (WIA) Daniel, William John Sr. (Not Injured)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	No_Report		43-9380 A-20G	116	670		Leonard, Thomas J. (Not Injured) Evans, O. D. (WIA) Goggin, Joseph F. (Not Injured)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	No_Report		43-9200 A-20G	116	670	Emergency strip A-13, Normandy, France	Sommers, Douglas T. (MIA, KIA) Zaklikiewicz, Stanley Robert (KIA) Johnson, John Lennart (KIA)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	No_Report		43-21712 A-20J	116	669	Wethersfield/Sta 170	Napier, John G. (Not Injured) Madenfort, James NMI (WIA) Perkins, Homer W. (Not Injured) Lowe, R. R. (Not Injured)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	No_Report		43-10147 A-20G	116	669	Tangmere	Smith, Jack Fleming Jr. (Not Injured) Vafiadis, Constantine (Not Injured) Hoffman, Ralph C. (Not Injured)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	MACR 7850		43-9717 A-20G	116	Hq	Taiberville, France	Farmer, Walter Woodrow (KIA) Buskirk, Joseph Alfred (MIA, RMC, RTD) Hay, Jamie Edward (MIA, RMC, RTD)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	No_Report		43-9943 A-20G	116	669	Tangmere	Blomgren, John Edwin (Not Injured) Bookach, Michael NMI (Not Injured) Fleming, Leonard R. (Not Injured)
Aug 6, 1944 Sunday	No_Report		43-9743 A-20G	116	669		Allen, Julian F. Jr. (Not Injured) Getgen, Leo R. (Not Injured) Veazey, Charles W. (WIA)

To view more information regarding an Incident/Report, click on the Report hyperlink.
( = Entries having actual Reports available for review.   = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)
To view an individual's Memorial page, click on the "Name" hyperlink.

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.

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 116 -- August 6, 1944, Sunday PM
Oissel, France -- Bridge

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

The sixth was another two-mission day. In the morning the target was the Oisell bridge across the Seine--the last bridge remaining across the river. When the two boxes, [led by Lt. Osborne,] Lt. Forma, B-N, and Major Napier, Lt. Madenfort, B-N approached [the] target, they had to turn back without attacking it because of bad weather.

The bridge had to be knocked out, however, so we were sent out after it again in the afternoon. Our Group had been especially chosen to do the job by Major General Anderson. It proved to be the most costly mission we had had since 15 July when two planes were lost. On that day, Lt. Raymond K. Cruse was forced to ditch in the Channel. Although it [was not] certain that he had drowned, his body was never recovered and he is listed as MIA. One gunner, Sergeant F.E. Cherry, was killed in action; the other gunner Sergeant S. W. Giesy, was seriously wounded in action --- he was recovered by rescue craft. The other plane, piloted by Lt. Robert J. Rooney, was also hit by flak but it managed to make it back to England where Lt. Rooney crash landed it. Lt. Rooney was badly injured by flak which came up through the seat in the cockpit. One gunner, Staff Sergeant Herbert M. McCleary, suffered a fractured [right arm, the other] gunner, Staff Sergeant Sebastian F. DiNaplei, suffered minor [injuries].

But even that damage and those losses were small compared to the number damaged and lost on this afternoon attack on the Oissel bridge. These were our losses:

Missing in Action:
Lt. Col. W.W. Farmer, Sgt. J.E. Hay, Sgt. J.A. Buskirk--Last seen heading away from the target toward our lines, plane smoking.
Lt. T.W. McManus, Sgt. G.A. Hart, Sgt. J.H. LaPionte--plane seen to crash in the target area.
Lt. A.J. Welch, Sgt. R.E. Wright, Sgt. S.G. Novak--last seen going down in the target area.

Killed in Action:
Killed when they were forced to crash land in Normandy with their plane badly damaged by flak were Lt. D.T. Sommers, Sgt. S.R. Zakliskiewicz, and Sgt. J.L. Johnson.

Lt. Osborne's right engine was shot out so that he was forced to crash land in Normandy. The plane was washed out, but the crew was uninjured. Severe battle damage forced Lt. J.E. [Blomgren] to crash land at Tanguere -- none of the crew was injured. Lt. J.[P. Smith also] crash landed at Tanguere due to flak damage. His brakes were [shot out, and, when] his plane nosed in at the end of the runway with no brakes, it was washed out -- none of the crew was injured. On a second bomb run over the target, Major Napier's Bombardier-Navigator, Lt. J. Madenfort, was hit in the face by flak so that his flight was unable to bomb. Besides the damage already noted, 23 other planes suffered varying degrees of battle damage. The 416th had done the job, however, that it had set out to do. The main weight of the attack fell across the rail line on the island and on its approaches. Supports at the south end of a new span that had been erected were also damaged. The line was now unserviceable. The pictures taken during the attack reveal the accuracy of the bombing. Captain Osborne and Major Napier led the two boxes. Exhibit #33. A word of commendation on the job done was received from General Anderson, and from General Backus. Exhibit # 33-A.

A day of rest followed that costly mission which gave the ground crews a chance to repair the badly damaged planes.

"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 124 - 128

Mission #116 - 6 August - Oissel Bridge. Again, 41 planes took off with Lts. Osborne and Forma, BN leading. Major Napier and Lt. Madenfort BN on the second box. Captain Hulse and Lt. Conte BN led flight #2 to the first flight. The German gunners having seen us this morning, were now quite ready to see us again. They must have readjusted their sights and fuses. The bombing was to be done in flights of six, and a four minute bomb run was started. This is an unusually long bomb run for such a well defended target, but the importance of wiping out the target was more important than anything. All flights, except one, were able to zero in on the aiming points, there being two spans required to be put out of service. The one flight with BN Lt. Madenfort riding with Major Napier did not drop because the bombardier received a severe flak hit and could not very well operate his bombsight.

Four planes were lost on the bomb run, including Lt. Douglas T. Sommers with Sgts. John L. Johnson and Stanley R. Zakliskewicz and Lt. Thomas W. McManus with gunners Sgt. John H. LaPorte and Gerald A. Hart. Lt. Sommers tried to crash land on an emergency airstrip but was unsuccessful. All his crew were reported as MIA. Lt. McManus and his crew are also listed as MIA. Lt Colonel Farmer, Group Operations Officer with Sgts. J. E. Hay and J. A. Buskirk and Lt. A. J. Welsh with gunners Sgts. R. E. Wright and S. G. Novack are all listed as Missing In Action. Lt. Osborne, leading the formation had to leave his position due to flak damage, making an emergency landing at the Normandy beachhead. His gunner S/Sgt. E. E. Kelly was injured.

Other flight leaders included Captain Jackson and Lt. Maltby, BN, - Major Napier with Lt. Madenfort BN, - Lts. Marzolf and Beck, BN, and Captain Huff with Lt. Kupits, BN. Every plane on the mission was damaged, but the objective was accomplished. The bridge was wiped out. Of the six flights bombing, four scored excellent, one good, and one did not bomb due to the bombardier being injured. Many of the planes landed on emergency airfield due to the damage they received.

When Lt. Osborne, leading the mission went down, Captain Hulse and Lt. Conte assumed the lead to navigate the group back to base, without further incident.

Colonel Backus, CO of the 97th Bomb Wing flew with the 416th Group in the Second Flight of the First Box.

The mission was termed a complete success and earned a commendation from the Commanding General of the IX Bomber Command, who was reported to have remarked, "It wasn't good bombing, it wasn't excellent bombing, it was perfect bombing."

The group received the Distinguished Unit Citation for this mission.

FROM 97TH COMBAT BOMB WING TO; CO 416TH BOMB GROUP (L)

PRIORITY CONFIDENTIAL

FOLLOWING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM COMMANDING GENERAL IX BOMBER COMMAND, QUOTE, MY REQUEST THAT YOU ASSIGN THE 416TH BOMB GROUP OF YOUR COMMAND TO ATTACK THE OISSEL BRIDGE WAS PROMPTED BY MY GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE GROUP'S ABILITY AND COURAGE. THE BOMBING OF THE BRIDGE ON 6 AUGUST FULLY JUSTIFIED MY CONFIDENCE. IN SPITE OF INTENSE OPPOSITION AT THE TARGET, THE ACCURACY OF THE BOMBING WOULD REFLECT CREDIT ON A GROUP BOMBING ON A PRACTICE RANGE. AS A RESULT A TROUBLESOME AND IMPORTANT TARGET WHICH HAD ALREADY COST IX BOMBER COMMAND FOUR PLANES LOST AND MANY DAMAGED WAS ALMOST CERTAINLY DESTROYED. PLEASE INFORM THE GROUP OF MY ADMIRATION FOR THE COURAGE AND BOMBING ACCURACY DISPLAYED. OISSEL WAS AN IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT ASSIGNMENT SUPERBLY ACCOMPLISHED. ANDERSON QUOTE.

TO THIS COMMENDATION, I WISH TO ADD THAT I AM INDEED PROUD TO BE THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE WING IN WHICH THE 416TH BOMB GROUP (L) IS SUCH AN EFFICIENT AND OUTSTANDING NUMBER.

DEEPLY REGRET THE LOSSES IN YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S MISSION, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WISH TO COMMEND YOU HIGHLY FOR THE SUPERB BOMBING ATTACKS CARRIED OUT AGAINST YESTERDAY'S TARGET. THE OISSEL BRIDGES AND UPON THE COMPEIGNE MARIGNY MARSHALLING YARDS ON 5 JULY 1944 YOUR DESTRUCTION OF THESE TARGETS WAS OF GREAT MILITARY VALUE AND IMPORTANCE.

SIGNED BACKUS

A Certified True copy

/s/ Harold L. Sommers HAROLD L. SOMMERS Captain, Air Corps Operations Officer

669th Bombardment Group (L) 416th Bombardment Group (L)

This was transmitted personally, and typed originally for Lt. Ralph Conte

On August 7, Lt. Ronald Perkins and his two gunners, S/Sgts. Sherry and Linneman who made a forced landing at Normandy Beach of 5 August, returned to the 416th. He went down on the 5th when one engine was knocked out and a hole was blown in a gas tank. He completely washed out the ship. His landing must have appeared spectacular to on-lookers, since he came down on one engine and one wheel, the other wheel having been knocked out of service. He said they spun around several times and when it stopped , they exited it fast, with surprisingly no injuries. The next day, the crew went on the August 8th PM mission.

"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives

The sixth was another two-mission day. In the morning, Major Napier led the second box of a formation attacking the last remaining bridge across the Seine river at Oissel. Capt. Huff was a flight leader. Lt. DeMun, Lt. McQuade, led the window flight. Bad weather forced the formation to return from the target area. The same crews returned in the afternoon to attack the same target. On the bomb run, Lt. Madenfort was hit in the face by flak so that Major Napier's flight did not bomb. Capt. Huff's flight, however, scored an excellent. The flak was intense and four planes were lost. Severe battle damage forced Lt. Blomgren to crash land at Tangmere -- none of the crew was injured. Lt. Jack F. Smith also crash landed at Tangmere due to flak damage. His brakes were shot out, and, when his plane nosed in at the end of the runway, it was washed out. None of the crew was injured. Exhibits #50 and 51.

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

Heaviest enemy resistance since D-Day was met on August 6th, when the group made two attacks on the Oissel Bridge across the Seine River. No attack was made on the target the first time because of cloud cover. The second attack was highly successful and the target destroyed. Two ships and their crews from this squadron were lost. Lt Douglas T. Sommers, pilot, and his gunners, Sgts John L. Johnson, and Stanley R. Zakliekewicz were killed, when, after the plane had been severely hit by flak, the pilot tried unsuccessfully to crash land on emergency strip A-13 in France. Lt Thomas W. McManus and his crew, Sgts John H. LaPointe and Gerald E. Hart, were listed as missing in action. Coming off the target after completing the bomb run, the ship was hit by flak and the left engine burst into flames. Lt McManus' ship went into a spin and was last seen to crash and explode west of Louviers. One parachute was observed leaving the plane before the crash. The record of having no pilots lost in five months of combat was broken.

Flak damage from this mission was extremely heavy. Lt McGlohn and Capt Jackson again demonstrated their skill by bringing back badly battered craft. S/Sgt Evans and Sgt Burns received wounds for which they were awarded the Purple Heart.

The 416th Bomb Group was sent to attack the target at Oissel upon the request of the Commanding Officer of IX Bomber Command since three other attacks by other groups had failed to destroy the bridge. One third of all retreating transportation used this bridge and it was an extremely important target. After the completion of the mission and the results determined, the group received a TWX of commendation from General Anderson, Commanding General of the IX Bomber Command, and General Backus, Commanding General of the 97th Wing. (See Exhibit # 31 attached). The 670th had eleven crews on each of these missions.

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

August 6th, 1944

In the roughest mission since D-Day, the 416th Bomb Group completely wiped out one of the few remaining bridges on the Seine River on the evening of August 6th . Several other groups failing to do the job, General Anderson of IX Bomber Command called on the 416th to hit the bridge, which was being used consistently by the Germans to transport troops from the rear to the front lines in Normandy.

The enemy, realizing the importance of this bridge, had gun emplacement extending on each side of the river for miles. Flak greeted the flights at the start of the bomb run and did not cease until the ships had flown out of range. Flak damage was close to 100% and nine ships failed to return to base. At this writing four ships and their crews have not been heard from, and it is believed that they went down over enemy territory. Among them is Colonel Farmer, deputy Group Commanding Officer, who was third in a flight. His flight made two runs on the target and the second one was just too much. The 671st Bomb Squadron had 100% battle damage, but all ships and their crews returned safely.

The formation took off first just after 1000, but on approaching enemy territory a front moved in and by the time the planes got near the target it was impossible to do any worthwhile bombing, so the formation returned. The weather cleared up over there during the afternoon and the Group was briefed for the same target, taking off at 1800.

Lt. Marzolf completed his 50th mission on this run and it is one he won't forget for a long time. "Gus" and his hot bombardier-navigator, Lt. Beck, led the 671st ships over the target and dropped their eggs on the MPI, the exact center of the bridge, completely demolishing it. This was the prettiest bit of bombing turned in by this pair, although they have had a good record right along in leading boxes and flights.

[August 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, August 6, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress

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