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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 129 -- August 25, 1944, Friday PM Brest: Point Des Espagnols - Point Robert - Kervibou, France Gun Positions
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 129 -- August 25, 1944, Friday PM Brest: Point Des Espagnols - Point Robert - Kervibou, France Gun Positions
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 39 Total -- 30 A-20G's, 9 A-20J's Tactical Target Dossier: 4805W/J/164, 4805W/J/155 and 4805W/J/148 Illustration : 4805W/66 Illustration Ref : 104073, 049073, 121061 Summary of Results : Two flights scored Excellent, one Good, one Fair, one PNB and one No Attack - lead ship failed to release due to short in circuit to release relay nad short in circuit to #2 station. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 48.33924,-4.54293 (48° 20' 21" N, 4° 32' 35" W) (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 # 129 -- August 25, 1944, Friday PM
Brest: Point Des Espagnols - Point Robert - Kervibou, France -- Gun Positions
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. Sgt Roberts, J.H. S/Sgt Naifeh, F. |
2 668th 43-21480 5H-B A-20G Lt Meredith, R.G., Jr. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W. S/Sgt Hill, A.A. |
3 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. S/Sgt Love, C.F. S/Sgt Adair, F.L. |
| 4 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Peede, L.G. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M. S/Sgt Hibbs, C.L. [Window] |
5 668th 43-10176 5H-T A-20G Lt Parker, P.E. Sgt Galloway, A.F. Sgt Kochan, S.J. [Window] |
6 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Colquitt, J.K. Sgt Geyer, J.F. S/Sgt Raines, D.E. [Window] |
| 1 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Maj Napier, J.G. Lt Jones, C.W. Pvt Perkins, H.W. Lt Lindsay, G.E. [Lindsay (4th CCU)] |
2 669th 43-9961 2A-E A-20G Lt Elliott, D.W. Sgt McGuire, J.J. S/Sgt Mani, J. |
3 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Land, W.H. S/Sgt Alden, S.F. S/Sgt Ballinger, R.L. |
| 4 669th 43-10155 2A-V A-20G Lt Allen, J.F., Jr. Sgt Getgen, L.R. Sgt Veazey, C.W. [Window] |
5 669th 43-21767 2A-N A-20G Lt Hayter, E.R. S/Sgt Melchoir, F.E. S/Sgt Holloway, R.G. [Window] |
6 669th 43-9202 2A-B A-20G Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Vafiadis, C. S/Sgt Hoffman, R.C. [Window Not Airborne Magneto [?]] |
| 1 669th 43-21469 2A-J A-20J Lt DeMun, E.E. Lt McQuade, R.J. S/Sgt Rosenstein, M. S/Sgt Carney, H.O. |
2 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Poundstone, L.E. Sgt Burland, A.J. S/Sgt Heath, K. |
3 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Tripp, W.F., Jr. S/Sgt Scott, J.O. S/Sgt Mallory, D.F. |
| 4 670th 43-21810 F6-P A-20G Lt Blomgren, J.E. Sgt Fleming, L.R. S/Sgt Bookach, M. [Window] |
5 669th 43-21483 2A-L A-20G Lt Robertson, R.B. S/Sgt Cheney, M.W. Sgt Reiter, G.E. [Window] |
6 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Siggs, W.C. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. S/Sgt Radlich, N. [Window] |
| SPARE 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Mish, C.C. S/Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. S/Sgt Chustz, R.F. |
| 1 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Capt Marzolf, L.A. Lt Beck, J.T. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G. |
2 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Lt Greenley, R.E. Lt Mitchell, R.H. S/Sgt Worden, H.C. S/Sgt Rzepka, J.J. |
3 671st 43-9719 5C-J A-20G Lt Ames, W.H. Sgt Fessler, H.S. Sgt Brown, R.J. |
| 4 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Smith, R.H. S/Sgt Mahoney, R.J. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. [Window] |
5 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt Gary, J.C. Sgt Schoen, A.E., Jr. Sgt Cheuvront, R.W. [Window] |
6 671st 43-9956 5C-Z A-20G Lt Eastman, D.M. Cpl Johnson, R.J. Cpl Eaton, A.B. [Window] |
| 1 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt Adams, J.D. Lt Hanlon, R.J. S/Sgt Clearman, P.L., Jr. S/Sgt Zeikus, A.J. |
2 671st 43-10165 5C-H A-20G Lt Estes, C.L. S/Sgt Orvold, C.R. S/Sgt DiMartino, A.E. |
3 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Wilds, H.J. S/Sgt Ashton, L.A. |
| 4 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Pair, H.F. S/Sgt Marion, H.A. S/Sgt Adams, V.P. [Window] |
5 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Miller, J.H. S/Sgt Schrom, R.G. S/Sgt Galender, J.W. [Window] |
6 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Withington, D.L., III Sgt Huss, C.F. Sgt McElhattan, L.D. [Window] |
| 1 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Capt Jackson, C.R. Lt Maltby, A.H. S/Sgt Daniel, W.J., Sr. Sgt Burns, D.E. |
2 670th 43-9455 F6-T A-20J Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. S/Sgt Maziasz, C.W. |
3 670th 43-9720 F6-F A-20G Lt Hall, R.B. S/Sgt Blackford, D.S. S/Sgt Burger, L.C. |
| 4 670th 43-9674 F6-R A-20G Lt Shea, D.F. S/Sgt Lee, R.E., Jr. S/Sgt Martinez, L. |
5 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Leonard, T.J. Sgt Arnett, W.E. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A. |
6 670th 43-10211 F6-O A-20G Lt Murphy, T.A. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E. Sgt O'Connell, L.W. |
| SPARE 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Nordstrom, A.W. S/Sgt Sampson, D.A. Sgt Hummer, J.A. [Returned Early as Briefed No Sortie] |
| 1 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Lt Peck, W.A. Lt Madenfort, J. S/Sgt Bergeron, A.E. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E. |
2 668th 43-9379 5H-G A-20G Lt Downing, W.E. S/Sgt Dickenson, E.S. S/Sgt Hornbeck, K.E., Jr. |
3 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Grunig, D.B. Sgt Dias, M.E. Sgt Nowosielski, H.J., Jr. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 129 -- August 25, 1944, Friday PM
Brest: Point Des Espagnols - Point Robert - Kervibou, France -- Gun Positions
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
A full week passed before our planes again became airborne on a mission. On the 25th, the siege of Brest began, and our planes dropped their bombs on gun positions in the Brest area. A direct hit was scored on the #4 gun and near misses on the # 2 and # 3 guns and the command post on the Pointe des Espagnols. The # 3 and # 4 gun positions were severely damaged by a near hit on the Pointe Kerrvilon gun positions. Major Price and Capt. Marzolf led this sucessful mission.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 134
Mission #129 - 25 August - Brest/Kerviniou Coastal Defense Battery. Major Price and Lt. Hand, BN led Box I. Major Napier Lt. Jones, BN, - Lts. Greeley and Mitchell, BN, - Lts. Adams and Hanlon, BN, - Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck, BN, - Lt. Demun and Lt. McQuade, BN led flights. This flight was one of the longest for the group, to protect this important port. The entire Ninth Bomber Command were attacking this port, with Naval vessels bombarding it from the seas. The formation took off at 1300, dropped their bombs and had to land at a refueling depot at St. Mawgen on the southern part of England. They landed there at 1630 and got back to base at 2100. An extremely long mission for these type planes, but the boys did it! Scoring fared from excellent to fair, measured as a success.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
A full week passed before our planes became airborne again on a mission. On the 25th, the siege of Brest began, and our planes dropped their bombs on gun positions in the Brest area. Major Napier, leading a flight, scored a "good"; Lt. DeMun, Lt. McQuade, B-N, scored an "excellent", with his flight.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On one of the longest missions to date, seven of our crews were part of an attack on a Brest strongpoint. Returning from the target, the planes landed at St Mawgans, England, as planned, to refuel the ships before returning to this field.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
August 25th, 1944
After a seven day operational lay-off, the 416th went on one of its longest and most successful missions on the afternoon of August 25th . Along with the entire Ninth Bomber Command, the Havocs struck at heavily fortified coastal gun positions in the Brest area in a supreme effort to squelch enemy resistance in the famed and highly prized port. The city, which the Germans have held, even against strong allied pressure since August 5th, staggered under this aerial blow, and it appears that the besieged enemy has had just about enough. In conjunction with the blow from the air, warships outside the harbor entrance and artillery around the city layed down heavy barrages.
Considered one of the finest ports on France's Atlantic seacoast, Brest is becoming increasingly important to the Allies as a possible point for unloading the huge amount of supplies and equipment needed to support their sweeping advance into the interior.
The formation took off from this field at 1300 and did not return until 2100 that evening. Afraid that the duration of the mission would exhaust the fuel supply, arrangements were made for the ships to land at St. Mawgen on the southern coast of England. Most of the ships landed by 1630, and after refueling and necessary maintenance was completed; and the crews fed the formation returned, landing about 2100. The shuttle run from Britain to Russia has nothing on the 416th's shuttle run!
Bombing by flights, the 671st Bomb Squadron again saved the day with two excellents against the C/D batteries. Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck, leading the first flight in the second box, layed down another perfect pattern, scoring hits on the gun positions. Lt. Adams and Lt. Hanlon, running their second mission together and their first bombing by flight sorties, chalked up an excellent also, with bursts on the batteries and across roads. It looks as if the 671st has paired up another crack pilot-bombardier team.
The other flights received a good, a probable good, fair, and the last flight failed to bomb because of a mechanical failure in the lead aircraft. Three window ships were employed, but no losses, casualties or battle damage resulted.
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[August 25, 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 25, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |