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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 95 -- July 8, 1944, Saturday PM Rennes, France Fuel Dump
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 95 -- July 8, 1944, Saturday PM Rennes, France Fuel Dump
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 39 Total -- 32 A-20G's, 7 A-20J's Tactical Target Dossier: 4802W/H/4 Illustration : 4802W/55 Illustration Ref : 136047, 133043 - 3 Flights Each Secondary Target : Railroad north of Combourg. Targets of Opportunity - Railroad Bridges, Trestles and Junctions (4802W/B/12) Summary of Results : Two flights did not attack, remainig four flights scored Fair to Excellent. Secondary Targets of Opportunity attacked were R/R bridge at X9695, R/R trestles at X9888 and X9794 and R/R & highway junction at T2817. Two ships dropped Window. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 48.11024,-1.67369 (48° 6' 37" N, 1° 40' 25" W) (Latitude/Longitude based on Google Maps, Selected Town center - Rennes, France) (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 # 95 -- July 8, 1944, Saturday PM
Rennes, France -- Fuel Dump
| 1 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Maj Meng, W.J. Lt Powell, V.H. S/Sgt Stobert, R.F. S/Sgt Glynn, F.P. |
2 670th 43-9680 F6-R A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. Sgt Martinez, L. Sgt Paules, E.F. |
3 668th 43-9701 5H-H A-20G Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. S/Sgt Maziasz, C.W. |
| 4 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Monroe, H.A. Sgt Hall, M. S/Sgt Risko, S. |
5 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Nordstrom, A.W. S/Sgt Gossett, J.D. S/Sgt Miller, R.L. |
6 670th 43-9387 F6-H A-20G Lt Hall, R.B. Sgt Blackford, D.S. Sgt Burger, L.C. |
| 1 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Lt Sommers, H.L. Lt McQuade, R.J. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. S/Sgt Radlich, N. |
2 669th 43-9189 2A-P A-20G Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Vafiadis, C. S/Sgt Hoffman, R.C. |
3 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Tripp, W.F., Jr. S/Sgt Scott, J.O. S/Sgt Young, C.E. |
| 4 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. S/Sgt Wing, J.S. |
5 669th 43-9390 2A-G A-20G Lt Elliott, D.W. Sgt McGuire, J.J. Sgt Mani, J. |
6 669th 43-9673 2A-I A-20G Lt Blomgren, J.E. Sgt Bookach, M. Sgt Fleming, L.R. |
| 1 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Lt DeMun, E.E. Lt Smith, W.L. S/Sgt Rosenstein, M. S/Sgt Carney, H.O. |
2 669th 43-9717 2A-N A-20G Lt Clark, H.B. S/Sgt Sabadosh, J.W. S/Sgt Floyd, C.F. |
3 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Hayter, E.R. S/Sgt Melchoir, F.E. S/Sgt Holloway, R.G. |
| 4 669th 43-9943 2A-F A-20G Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt Webb, C.L. Pvt Moskowitz, L. |
5 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Robertson, R.B. Sgt Hay, J.E. Sgt Buskirk, J.A. |
6 669th 43-10147 2A-K A-20G Lt Poundstone, L.E. Sgt Burland, A.J. Sgt Heath, K. |
| SPARE 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Murray, T.J., Jr. S/Sgt Jones, R.J. S/Sgt DeBower, D.H. [Returned Early as Briefed No Sortie] |
| 1 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Capt Jackson, C.R. Lt Maltby, A.H. Sgt Burns, D.E. Sgt Daniel, W.J., Sr. |
2 670th 43-10211 F6-O A-20G Lt Greene, W.J. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. S/Sgt Colbert, W.F. |
3 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt McBride, L.R. S/Sgt McKee, J.C. S/Sgt Wilson, B.R. |
| 4 670th 43-9978 F6-S A-20G Lt Rooney, R.J. S/Sgt McCleary, H.M. S/Sgt DiNapoli, S.F. |
5 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Addleman, R.F. |
6 670th 43-9750 F6-M A-20G Lt Leonard, T.J. S/Sgt Evans, O.D. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A. |
| 1 668th 43-9640 5H-Z A-20J Lt Osborne, A.E., Jr. Lt Forma, W. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W. S/Sgt Burch, R.W. |
2 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Harris, F.W. Sgt Robinson, J.W. Sgt Newell, S.P. |
3 668th 43-10226 5H-E A-20G Lt Peede, L.G. S/Sgt Hibbs, C.L. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M. |
| 4 668th 43-9975 5H-W A-20G Lt Cruze, R.K. S/Sgt Love, C.F. S/Sgt Adair, F.L. |
5 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Andersen, C.J., Jr. Sgt Euga, P.G. Sgt Schafer, E.L. |
6 668th 43-10176 5H-T A-20G Lt Kenny, J.P. Sgt Spadoni, J.K. Sgt Noteriani, F. |
| 1 668th 43-10125 5H-M A-20J Lt DeMand, F.W. Lt Hanlon, R.J. S/Sgt Troyer, R.J. S/Sgt Middleton, C.W. |
2 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Henderson, F.W. S/Sgt Griswold, R.M. S/Sgt Coulombe, P.E. |
3 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Wilds, H.J. S/Sgt Ashton, L.A. |
| 4 671st 43-9220 5C-E A-20G Lt Durante, A.R. S/Sgt Best, H.T. S/Sgt DeGiusti, I.R. |
5 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Estes, C.L. S/Sgt Orvold, C.R. Sgt DiMartino, A.E. |
6 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Herman, A.E. S/Sgt Mahoney, R.J. S/Sgt Young, J.O. |
| SPARE 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. S/Sgt Antanaitis, A.J. [Returned Early as Briefed No Sortie] |
| 1 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Capt Prentiss, R.B. Lt McBrien, R.T. S/Sgt McCreery, J.E. S/Sgt Sylva, H.J. |
2 670th 43-9209 F6-K A-20G Lt McGlohn, C.L. S/Sgt Moran, J.W. S/Sgt Driskill, P.B. |
3 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Atkinson, P.G., Jr. S/Sgt Swafford, J.O., Jr. S/Sgt Glynn, P.F. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 95 -- July 8, 1944, Saturday PM
Rennes, France -- Fuel Dump
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
Going out for the fifth consecutive day, 39 aircraft took off to destroy strong points in Caen as ground support targets. The results were excellent, and soon it was announced over the radio that General Montgomery's troops had moved in to take that same area. The boxes were led by Lt Osborne and Major Price, and bombing was by flights of sixes. That afternoon, the scene of our activities shifted to Rennes to hit a fuel dump. The target was again obscured by clouds so that a target of opportunity was chosen---it was a road and railroad intersection north of Combourg. The results ranged from good to excellent, cutting the road, railway, and highway overpass. Captain Jackson and Major Meng led the two boxes, although bombing was by flights of sixes.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 108
Mission #95 - 8 July - PM - Combourg and Avranches
Railheads. TWo boxes had different targets to hit. The first box
went for Combourg and the second box hit Avranches. Lt.
DeMand and Hanlon led a flight. Box leaders names were not
available. Bombing results were rated excellent, with no damage
to planes from fighters or flak.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Two missions were again flown on July 8th, seven of our combat crews participating in a morning mission against the German held city of Caen; and in the afternoon fourteen crews were part of the group attacking the Rennes fuel railhead. Both attacks were rated excellent.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
July 7th û 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.
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[July 8, 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 8, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |