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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 131 -- August 26, 1944, Saturday PM Rouen, France Ferrying Area
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 131 -- August 26, 1944, Saturday PM Rouen, France Ferrying Area
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 39 Total -- 29 A-20G's, 10 A-20J's Target Ref : Rouen Illustration : 4901E/38 and 4901E/37 Illustration Ref : 042078, 040081, 044074, 055027, 04020 Summary of Results : Only one of six flights attacked, results unobserved. Other 5 flights did not attack due to weather. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 49.43516,1.08666 (49° 26' 7" N, 1° 5' 12" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on Google Maps, Selected point on penninsula in Rouen) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
| Date | Report |   |
A/C Serial # Type |
Mis- sion # |
Bomb Sq |
Location | Personnel (Status when available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 1944 Saturday |
No_Report | 43-9961 A-20G |
131 | 669 | Normandy | Vleghels, Andre Joseph (Not Injured)
Rice, Roger W. (Not Injured) Young, Clay Eugene (Not Injured) |
= Entries having actual Reports available for review. = Entries having additional Images or Photos.)Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 131 -- August 26, 1944, Saturday PM
Rouen, France -- Ferrying Area
| 1 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Maj Willetts, D.L. Lt Royalty, P.G. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. |
2 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Andrews, H.D., Jr. S/Sgt Werley, E.R. Cpl Herr, R.E. |
3 671st 43-10165 5C-H A-20G Lt Zubon, M. T/Sgt Tanner, J.R.L. S/Sgt Russell, W.C. |
| 4 671st 43-9719 5C-J A-20G Lt Pair, H.F. S/Sgt Adams, V.P. S/Sgt Marion, H.A. [Window] |
5 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt Gary, J.C. Sgt Cheuvront, R.W. Sgt Schoen, A.E., Jr. [Window] |
6 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt Withington, D.L., III Sgt Huss, C.F. Sgt McElhattan, L.D. [Window] |
| 1 670th 43-22063 F6-A A-20J Capt Jackson, C.R. Lt Maltby, A.H. Sgt Burns, D.E. S/Sgt Daniel, W.J., Sr. |
2 670th 43-9455 F6-T A-20J Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. Sgt Belcas, J.O. |
3 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Leonard, T.J. Sgt Ricketson, J.J. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A. |
| 4 670th 43-9720 F6-F A-20G Lt Hall, R.B. Sgt Stroup, C.C., Jr. S/Sgt Burger, L.C. [Window] |
5 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Murphy, T.A. S/Sgt Blackford, D.S. Sgt O'Connell, L.W. [Window] |
6 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G F/O Turner, E.O. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. Sgt Sienkiewicz, J., Jr. [Window] |
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Capt Osborne, A.E., Jr. Lt Forma, W. Sgt Newell, S.P. S/Sgt Lagerman, K.G. |
2 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Schenck, D.R. S/Sgt Shelton, E.L. [Returned Early No Sortie Gunner Sick] |
3 668th 43-10176 5H-T A-20G Capt Prentiss, R.B. S/Sgt McCreery, J.E. S/Sgt Sylva, H.J. [No Sortie Returned Early Left Engine] |
| 4 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. Sgt Heitell, S.L. [Window] |
5 668th 43-21760 5H-Z A-20G Lt Parker, P.E. Sgt Galloway, A.F. Sgt Kochan, S.J. [Window] |
6 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Cannon, L.E. S/Sgt Robinson, J.W. S/Sgt Brzezinski, E.P. [Window] |
| SPARE 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Peede, L.G. S/Sgt Hibbs, C.L. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M. |
| 1 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Lt Cole, H.P. Lt Basnett, R.J. S/Sgt Fandre, B.G. S/Sgt Chvatal, F.R. |
2 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Capt Hixon, S.M. Sgt Hinson, A.H. S/Sgt Swank, O.E. |
3 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Henderson, F.W. S/Sgt Griswold, R.M. S/Sgt Coulombe, P.E. |
| 4 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt Morehouse, R.C. S/Sgt Zygiel, L.A. S/Sgt Burgess, A.J. [Window] |
5 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Murray, T.J., Jr. S/Sgt Jones, R.J. S/Sgt DeBower, D.H. [Window] |
6 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Estes, C.L. S/Sgt Orvold, C.R. S/Sgt DiMartino, A.E. [Window] |
| 1 669th 43-21469 2A-J A-20J Lt Morton, R.J. Lt Moore, D.L. S/Sgt Webb, C.L. S/Sgt Citty, F.M. |
2 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Lt Greene, W.J. Lt Nichols, J.R. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. S/Sgt Colbert, W.F. |
3 669th 43-9961 2A-E A-20G Lt Vleghels, A.J. S/Sgt Rice, R.W. S/Sgt Young, C.E. |
| 4 669th 43-21961 2A-P A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. S/Sgt Wing, J.S. [Window] |
5 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Vafiadis, C. S/Sgt Hoffman, R.C. [Window] |
6 669th 43-10190 2A-I A-20G Lt Hall, E.P. Sgt Carstens, R.W. Sgt Sharp, R.P., Jr. [Window] |
| 1 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Lt DeMun, E.E. Lt McQuade, R.J. S/Sgt Rosenstein, M. S/Sgt Carney, H.O. |
2 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Allen, J.F., Jr. Sgt Getgen, L.R. Sgt Veazey, C.W. |
3 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Land, W.H. S/Sgt Alden, S.F. S/Sgt Ballinger, R.L. |
| 4 669th 43-21767 2A-N A-20G Lt Blomgren, J.E. S/Sgt Bookach, M. S/Sgt Fleming, L.R. |
5 669th 43-21483 2A-L A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. S/Sgt VanDuyne, J.E. S/Sgt Rodgers, H.C. |
6 669th 43-9202 2A-B A-20G Lt MacManus, P.F.E., Jr. S/Sgt Fleischman, G.I. S/Sgt Rogers, J.L., Jr. |
| SPARE 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Lt Col Aylesworth, T.R. Lt Lytle, W.M. S/Sgt McKee, J.C. Sgt Turpin, S.J. |
| 1 668th 43-10125 5H-M 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 Miracle, R.V. S/Sgt Burkhalter, J.C. S/Sgt Sieg, B.C. |
3 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Elliott, D.W. S/Sgt Mani, J. Sgt McGuire, J.J. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 131 -- August 26, 1944, Saturday PM
Rouen, France -- Ferrying Area
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
That afternoon the Rouen ferrying area was the target where tons of German equipment was lined up waiting to scurry across the Seine before our troops completely cut them off. Weather again saved the Germans when poor visibility, haze, and cloud cover prevented all but one flight from bombing. Crew members reported the results as fair to good. Five hundred pound fragmentation clusters were again carried. Major Willetts, Lt. Royalty, B-N, and Capt. Cole, Lt. Basnett, B-N, were box leaders. Some flak was encountered and Lt. A.J. Vleghels was forced to land in Normandy because of flak damage. Lt. Vleghels received minor injuries; the gunners were uninjured.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 135
Mission #131 - 26 August - PM - Roeun troop, transports and tank concentrations. These were part of the German forces trying to cross the Seine, waiting to be shuttled across the wide span since there were no suitable bridges to cross. Major Willetts and Lt. Royalty, BN led Box I. Captain Morton and Lt. Moore, BN, - Lts. Demun and McQuade, BN, - Lts. Cole and Basnett, BN led flights. Each of the six flights were assigned different targets in this area, with fragmentation bombs, but only one flight managed to get their bombs away. Other flights were bothered by a combination of clouds, haze, and smoke, so they all brought their load back to base. Some flak was effective. Lt. A. J. Vleghels was wounded slightly.
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
An improvement in the weather allowed us to fly two missions again on the 26th. The first, against the Compiegne-Clairoix fuel tanks. It was a superb job of bombing. Capt. Huff, leading a flight, scored an "excellent", causing violent explosions and large fires which probably destroyed the tanks.
The afternoon of the same day found the Rouen ferrying area our target. Tons of German equipment was lined up waiting to be shuttled across the Seine before our troops completely cut them off. Weather again saved the Germans when poor visibility, haze, and cloud cover prevented all but one flight from bombing. Capt. Morton and Lt. DeMun, flight leaders, were forced to return their bombs. Some flak was encountered and Lt. A.J. Vleghels was forced to land in Normandy because of flak damage. Lt. Vleghels received minor wounds; the gunners were uninjured.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Eighteen crews took part in two missions on August 26th against the Compeigne Clairoix fuel dumps and the Rouen ferrying area.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
August 26th, 1944
The 416th swarmed over the continent twice on August 26th, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Both missions were a bid to immobilize Von Kluge's retreating armored forces. In the evening Major Willetts and Lt. Royalty led the formation loaded with fragmentation bombs to the Rouen area where the Germans had amassed heavy concentrations of motor transport, tanks, and other equipment as well as troops. The six flights were assigned different MPEs, but cloud coverage in the area prevented five of the flights from dropping.
Lt. Royalty was able to pick up his target, but just before going on the bomb run a small piece of flak pierced the nose of his ship, hitting him on the back of the hand. "Shorty" kept his head and released his bomb load on the target. Although no photos were taken, crews reported fair to good results. If Lt. Royalty's hand had not been where it was when the flak entered the ship, it is likely that it would have hit him in the face. Under the conditions P.G. can be recommended for a courageous bit of bombing.
Three B-26 Groups smashed at the same target with the Havocs and reports show the attack to be highly successful, although the cloud coverage cut down the effect somewhat. Flak was quite intense on and off the bomb run, but all the ships returned û 10 receiving battle damage.
Marauders and Havocs had previously wiped out every bridge crossing the Seine from Paris to Rouen, and the fleeing remnants of the German Seventh Army had to resort to barges and ferries to make the crossings, impending their movement, and allowing the air power to further disrupt their battered ranks.
In the morning the Bomber Command centered their attack on four key German fuel storage points, the 416th being assigned the Compienge/Clairoix fuel depot about 30 miles northeast of Paris. The 671st had only one bombardier-pilot team on this mission, and due to a discrepancy in drift by the bombardier, Lt. Hanlon, this flight failed to drop right on the target, but roads leading to the dump were hit and a few of the bombs caused damage to the depot. Three flights racked up excellents and the two remaining ones û good, for a hard ûto-beat bit of bombing. Crews reported loud explosions, flames and smoke rising from the badly hit depot. No flak was encountered and all ships returned to the base in tact.
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[August 26, 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 26, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |