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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 138 -- September 6, 1944, Wednesday AM Brest, France Strong Points
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 138 -- September 6, 1944, Wednesday AM Brest, France Strong Points
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 36 Total -- 27 A-20G's, 9 A-20J's Modified British System Reference: BREST: COOR. V-939989 COORD V-914986 Illustration : 4805W/56 Illustration Ref : 078041 Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : One flight Unknown results, reamaining Excellent. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 48.38409,-4.50414 (48° 23' 3" N, 4° 30' 15" W) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (LZ1) vV939989) (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 # 138 -- September 6, 1944, Wednesday AM
Brest, France -- Strong Points
| 1 670th 43-22063 F6-A A-20J Maj Dunn, L.F. Lt Powell, V.H. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. T/Sgt Goggin, J.F. |
2 670th 43-21467 F6-W A-20J Lt Shea, D.F. Lt Koch, O.R. S/Sgt Lee, R.E., Jr. Lt Lindsay, G.E. [Lindsay (4th CCU)] |
3 670th 43-21810 F6-P A-20G Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Addleman, R.F. |
| 4 670th 43-9720 F6-F A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. S/Sgt Paules, E.F. S/Sgt Martinez, L. |
5 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Murphy, T.A. Sgt Ricketson, J.J. Sgt O'Connell, L.W. |
6 670th 43-10211 F6-O A-20G Lt Popeney, H.V. Sgt Arnett, W.E. Sgt Candler, H.C.S. |
| 1 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Capt McNulty, G.M. Lt Bursiel, F.H. S/Sgt Fejes, J.A., Jr. S/Sgt Judd, E.R., Jr. |
2 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Svenson, R.R. S/Sgt Fild, P.G. S/Sgt Pfenning, G.H. |
3 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Harris, F.W. S/Sgt Hantske, D. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. |
| 4 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Downing, W.E. S/Sgt Dickenson, E.S. S/Sgt Hornbeck, K.E., Jr. |
5 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Stanley, C.S. Sgt Holterfield, C.C. Cpl Collier, C.B. |
6 668th 43-21760 5H-Z A-20G Lt Wright, J.W. Sgt Profita, P.J. Sgt Simmonds, J.R. |
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. S/Sgt Naifeh, F. Sgt Roberts, J.H. |
2 668th 43-9894 5H-R A-20G Lt Montrose, J.H. Sgt Gandy, R.S. Sgt Felkel, J.W. |
3 668th 43-10176 5H-T A-20G Lt Hale, W.L. Sgt Geyer, J.F. Sgt Bentzler, D.H. |
| 4 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Peede, L.G. Sgt Brown, D.M. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M. |
5 668th 43-10150 5H-N A-20G Lt Saidla, J.B. Cpl Cavanagh, A.F. Cpl Harris, J.M. |
6 668th 43-21480 5H-B A-20G Lt Evans, H.M. Sgt Skeens, C.L. Sgt Merritt, O.N., Jr. |
| SPARE 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Eastman, D.M. Cpl Johnson, R.J. Cpl Eaton, A.B. [Returned Early] |
| 1 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Lt Jackson, C.R. Lt Maltby, A.H. Sgt Burns, D.E. S/Sgt Falk, F.G. |
2 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Lt Atkinson, P.G., Jr. Lt Ackerson, D.G. S/Sgt Swafford, J.O., Jr. S/Sgt Glynn, P.F. |
3 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Nordstrom, A.W. Cpl Friday, L.R. S/Sgt Miller, R.L. |
| 4 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Lt Leonard, T.J. S/Sgt Evans, O.D. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A. |
5 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt McGlohn, C.L. S/Sgt Moran, J.W. S/Sgt Driskill, P.B. |
6 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt Barausky, P.P. Sgt Hall, M. Sgt Wilson, B.R. |
| 1 669th 43-21469 2A-J A-20J Capt Morton, R.J. Lt Moore, D.L. S/Sgt Webb, C.L. S/Sgt Citty, F.M. |
2 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Hayter, E.R. S/Sgt Melchoir, F.E. S/Sgt Holloway, R.G. |
3 669th 43-9692 2A-M A-20G Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Vafiadis, C. S/Sgt Hoffman, R.C. |
| 4 669th 43-21767 2A-N A-20G Lt Street, M.S. S/Sgt Prindle, C.A. S/Sgt Epps, E.T. |
5 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt DuBose, M.W. Cpl Griffin, D.L., Jr. Cpl Walters, J.H. |
6 669th 43-10190 2A-I A-20G Lt Hall, E.P. Sgt Carstens, R.W. Sgt Sharp, R.P., Jr. |
| 1 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Lt Adams, J.D. Lt Hanlon, R.J. S/Sgt Clearman, P.L., Jr. S/Sgt Zeikus, A.J. |
2 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Lt DeMand, F.W. Lt Burns, A.C., Jr. S/Sgt Middleton, C.W. S/Sgt Troyer, R.J. |
3 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Murray, T.J., Jr. S/Sgt Jones, R.J. S/Sgt DeBower, D.H. |
| 4 671st 43-9719 5C-J A-20G Lt Pair, H.F. S/Sgt Marion, H.A. S/Sgt Adams, V.P. |
5 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Fero, D.A. Cpl Skelton, T.W. Cpl Rojas, A.A. |
6 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt VanNoorden, H.M. Cpl Steffey, R.I. Sgt Thompson, G.H., Jr. |
| SPARE 669th 43-9202 2A-B A-20G Lt Clark, H.B. S/Sgt Sabadosh, J.W. S/Sgt Floyd, C.F. [Returned Early as Briefed] |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 138 -- September 6, 1944, Wednesday AM
Brest, France -- Strong Points
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
Hitting our top form in bombing on the morning of the 6th, Major Dunn and Captain Jackson led two boxes in another smashing attack on Brest. The bombs hit their mark and five of the six flights were credited with excellents. Although there was no photo coverage on the other flight, crewmen reported the results as excellent. The damage to the target was inestimable, known only to the ground troops who were fighting bitterly down there.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 141
Mission #138 - 6 September - AM - Brest Stronghold. Another 0630 take-off for this group to be part of over 300 other planes to attack this place. Out of six flights of the 416th, five scored excellents, the only Ninth Bomber Command to score that well. Among the flight leaders were Captain Morton and Lt. Moore, BN, - Captain McNulty and Lt. Burseil, BN, - Major Price and Lt. Hand, BN, - Lts. DeMand and Burns, BN, and Lts. Adams and Hanlon, BN. Clear weather gave our bomb aimers a good read on the target and they showed their expertise.
"668th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The month of September began with a series of concentrated attacks upon Brest, heavily garrisonned Nazi stronghold at the tip of the Brittanny peninsula. Heavy overcast spelled failure for several missions, but we finally succeeded in hitting the target in a number of close support attacks which aided materially in the eventual capture of this vital port.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
On the morning of the 6th, Brest was again attacked. Capt. Morton, Lt. Moore, B-N, scored one of the five excellents, that were earned by the Group. That afternoon the weather closed in as the formation again approached a target at Brest. Only three flights were able to bomb although they dropped down to as low as 4,500 feet. Capt. Huff, leading a flight, made six bomb runs but was unable to drop because of the poor visibility. Lt. Greene, Lt. Nichols, B-N, scored a "good" in their first mission as a flight leader.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
The month of September opened with a series of concentrated
attacks on the Port of Brest, France, by light and medium bombers, in
which this Group and Squadron played a important part. With the Nazis
tenaciously holding on to the Port of Brest, General Eisenhower called
for an all out effort. Six missions were flown by our squadron in the
first six days of the month. Twelve crews participated on a mission on
Sept 1st, 20 crews on two missions on Sept 3rd, six crews on Sept 5th,
and 18 crews on Sept 6th on two missions.
Lt Byrne was transferred on Sept 2nd. English money was converted
to francs on this day and work started on embarkation rosters in
preparation for a move to France. On this date, two officers received
notice of their promotions, Lt Gruetzemacher to Captain, and 2d Lt
Tollett to First Lieutenant.
The A-20's of our Group were part of a formation of 300 different
types of planes that attacked Brest at 06:10, 6th Sept. Three assaults
were made on the Port, when Marauders and Havocs dropped more that 500
tons of bombs in order to force a passage way for US troops beseiging
the city. Also on this date, a TWX was received delaying our transfer
to France, causing a great deal of disappointment to every member of
the squadron.
Four "Buzz Bomb" alerts turned the night of September 5th into a
sleepless one. One Robot was shot down which was visible from our
field, and the explosion of another shook the huts of our area.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
Bomber Command meant business when it set out to "bomb Brest until it surrendered". The 416th and the rest of the Ninth Bomber Command went out in successive waves against the port on September 5th and 6th, dropping over 1500 tons of explosives on the installations. The Weathersfield based Havocs flew one mission on the 5th and two on the 6th.
Bombing only a short distance ahead of American ground troops, the 416th tacked up three excellents on their evening mission on September 5th . Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck did it again with hits on buildings and strong-points. Crews reported severe damage. One pilot commented that there were so many planes over the city, that they practically had to queue up to drop their bombs.
Eleven light and medium bomb groups participated in an early morning assault on the harbor September 6th with excellent results. Good visibility offered the bombardiers a chance to show their skill. Each of the Groups scored at least one excellent and the 416th make off with the best record in the Command with five excellents and a probable sixth. There was a malfunction of the camera in the latter flight, but the Group bombardier reported an excellent by visual observation. Lt. Adams and his bombardier, Lt. Hanlon, leading the third flight in the second box released their bombs on the MPI causing severe damage. This was the second excellent turned in by this pair, who have been leading flights for just a short period. No losses, casualties or battle damage resulted on these two missions.
"671tst Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
As the Allies drove on into France their supply lines became more extended. Finally to alleviate this situation General Eisenhower ordered the Air Forces to attack Brest until it was captured. It first it appeared that the flight to Brest was beyond our range so arrangements were made for the Group to attack the target and land at St. Mawgin to refuel. Although extended almost to the limit, some of the planes were able to make it back to the base without refueling. However Brest was often protected by a heavy layer of clouds making it necessary for the Group to return several times before dropping their bombs. This was much to the liking of the men in the Squadron for Brest proved to be a "Cake Run" on most occasions. When flights to Brest were getting monotonous boys of the 671st did their part to add a bit of color and excitement to the affair. While over the target one of the engines of Lt. Merchant's plane caught fire. "Feather" immediately ordered his gunners to bail out while he nursed the plane along on one engine till he reached a landing strip at Morlaix. The gunners S Sgt C. J. Harp and S Sgt K. P. Brown returned the next day on a C-47 but for some reason Feather was not to be found, although his airplane was known to have landed safely. Three days later Feather ended the search and killed his MIA report in the personnel basket when he phoned the Operations Officer from Southern England asking for transportation back to the base.
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[September 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, September 6, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |