416th BG Mission 134

Mission # 134 -- September 1, 1944, Friday AM
Brest and St. Marc, France -- Anti-Aircraft Battery

Box I -- Flight I
1 670th 43-22063 F6-A A-20J Maj Dunn, L.F. Lt Powell, V.H. S/Sgt Stobert, R.F. S/Sgt Glynn, F.P.	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 Martinez, L.	3 670th 43-21810 F6-P A-20G Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Addleman, R.F.
4 670th 43-9905 F6-K A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. S/Sgt Paules, E.F. S/Sgt Binney, I. [Window]	5 670th 43-9720 F6-F A-20G F/O Warren, J.R. Sgt Stroup, C.C., Jr. Sgt Turpin, S.J. [Window]	6 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Musgrove, W. Sgt Seighman, H.O. Sgt Licker, M. [Window]

Box I -- Flight II
1 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Capt Osborne, A.E., Jr. Lt Forma, W. Sgt Newell, S.P. S/Sgt Lagerman, K.G.	2 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Peede, L.G. Sgt Brown, D.M. S/Sgt Daugherty, L.M.	3 668th 43-21480 5H-B A-20G Lt McCready, T.D. Sgt Lemonds, W.E. Sgt Fuehrer, W.F.
4 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. S/Sgt Adair, F.L. S/Sgt Love, C.F. [Window]	5 668th 43-21760 5H-Z A-20G Lt Stanley, C.S. Sgt Holterfield, C.C. Cpl Collier, C.B. [Window]	6 668th 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Evans, H.M. Sgt Skeens, C.L. Sgt Merritt, O.N., Jr. [Window]

Box I -- Flight III
1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Capt McNulty, G.M. Lt Bursiel, F.H. S/Sgt Fejes, J.A., Jr. S/Sgt Judd, E.R., Jr.	2 668th 43-21719 5H-V A-20J Lt Bartmus, G.F. Lt Hardy, J.F. S/Sgt Orr, J.R. S/Sgt Flacks, F.L.	3 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Hale, W.L. Sgt Geyer, J.F. Sgt Bentzler, D.H.
4 668th 43-10150 5H-N A-20G Lt Mish, C.C. S/Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. S/Sgt Chustz, R.F. [Window Landed at Farrant Rushton Hyde Lineaout]	5 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Harris, F.W. S/Sgt Hantske, D. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. [Window]	6 668th 43-10176 5H-T A-20G Lt Montrose, J.H. Sgt Gandy, R.S. Sgt Felkel, J.W. [Window]

Box I
SPARE 669th 43-9692 2A-M A-20G Lt Poundstone, L.E. Sgt Burland, A.J. Sgt Heath, K. [Returned Early as Briefed]

Box II -- Flight I
1 670th 43-21467 F6-W A-20J Capt Rudisill, R.S. Lt Joost, R.H. S/Sgt Riley, R.K. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J.	2 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Singletary, R.B. Sgt Wiggins, H.G. Sgt Cianciosi, A.A.	3 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. S/Sgt Maziasz, C.W.
4 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt McGlohn, C.L. S/Sgt Moran, J.W. S/Sgt Driskill, P.B. [Window]	5 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Barausky, P.P. Sgt Hall, M. Sgt Wilson, B.R. [Window]	6 670th 43-10211 F6-O A-20G Lt Sparling, J.R., Jr. Sgt Arnett, W.E. Sgt Leahigh, L.L. [Window]

Box II -- Flight II
1 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt Cole, H.P. Lt Basnett, R.J. S/Sgt Rzepka, J.J. Cpl Gurkin, C.W., Jr.	2 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Brown, K.P. S/Sgt Harp, C.J.	3 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Lackovich, J.J. Sgt Connery, T.F. Sgt Barry, R.M.
4 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt Morehouse, R.C. S/Sgt Burgess, A.J. S/Sgt Zygiel, L.A. [Window]	5 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Eastman, D.M. Cpl Johnson, R.J. Cpl Eaton, A.B. [Window]	6 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt Gary, J.C. Sgt Cheuvront, R.W. Sgt Schoen, A.E., Jr. [Window]

Box II -- Flight III
1 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Maj Napier, J.G. Lt Jones, C.W. Pvt Perkins, H.W. S/Sgt Hodgson, A.T.	2 669th 43-21961 2A-P A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. S/Sgt Wing, J.S.	3 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. S/Sgt VanDuyne, J.E. S/Sgt Rodgers, H.C.
4 669th 43-10190 2A-I A-20G Lt Hall, E.P. Sgt Carstens, R.W. Sgt Sharp, R.P., Jr.	5 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Robertson, R.B. S/Sgt Cheney, M.W. Sgt Reiter, G.E.	6 669th 43-21767 2A-N A-20G Lt Tripp, W.F., Jr. S/Sgt Scott, J.O. S/Sgt Mallory, D.F.

Box II
SPARE 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Murray, T.J., Jr. S/Sgt Jones, R.J. S/Sgt DeBower, D.H. [Returned Early as Briefed]

Box III -- Flight I
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 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. Sgt Heitell, S.L.	3 669th 43-9181 2A-A A-20G Lt MacManus, P.F.E., Jr. S/Sgt Rogers, J.L., Jr. S/Sgt Fleischman, G.I.

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 134 -- September 1, 1944, Friday AM
Brest and St. Marc, France -- Anti-Aircraft Battery

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

Bad weather greatly hampered our operations against the enemy in September. Although we managed to fly 16 missions during the month, on several occasions the bombs were brought back when the target was obscured by haze or clouds. In these 16 missions, the Bombardier-Navigators continued the fine work they had put forth in August.

Mission No. 134, the first mission flown in September, was an attack on the Brest, St Marc, Recouvrance gun positions on the first. The planes reached the target area, but clouds prevent any attack.

"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 139 - 140

Mission #134 - 1 September - Brest stronghold. Wake up call was at 0400 with take off at 0730 with flights led by Captain Hulse and Lt. Conte, BN, - Major Napier and Lt. Jones, BN, - Captain Cole and Lt. Basnett, BN, - Lts. Osborne and Forma, BN, and Captain McNulty and Lt. Burseil, BN. After a two hour flight to Brest, they found a complete cloud cover, so no bombing took place. No flak or fighters bothered the group. After our group left the target area, four B-26 groups reached Brest and were able to drop their bombs with great results. These were not enough, since more flights were to be made there, we were told.

Another mission took off later that day, but were recalled when weather informed that clouds had still hidden the tarset of Brest.

"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

The first mission, No 134, was flown on the first day of the month. Major Napier, Lt. Jones, B-N, was a flight leader in this attack on gun positions at Brest. Bad weather forced the bombers to bring their bombs back.

"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

September 1st, 1944

With a request from General Omar Bradley and an order a few hours later from General Eisenhower to "bomb and keep bombing until Brest surrenders", the IX Bomber Command turned all its efforts on this strategic port. Attacks were launched on September 1st and 3rd, weather hampering the formations on the 2nd and 4th. At this writing Brest still remains in enemy hands, but its defenses are shattered and an early occupation of the city and port by Allied troops is expected.

The 416th Bomb Group did not fare very well on its missions due to poor weather. The Havocs left the base at 0730 on the 1st of September, crossed over the target, but could not drop due to a coverage. Another attempt was made in the afternoon, but the ships were recalled before leaving England. Four B-26 Groups had better luck in the morning and dropped their bombs wit devastating results.

Major Willetts and Lt. Royalty led the 416th back to Brest on the morning of the 3rd . Taking off at 0600 in almost complete darkness, the ships reached the target area just as a large cloud drifted in and covered it up. Six IX Bomber Command Groups followed the 416th, as the cloud formation moved away right with the old 416th . Again heavy damage was inflicted to the gun emplacements, forts roads and ammunition dumps in this area.

Bomber Command seemed set on having the 416th drop their eggs on the port, and no sooner had the ships landed from the morning mission than briefing was set for an afternoon sweep at the same target. Visibility wasn't good, but the formation made it over the target and two flights in the second box dropped through scattered clouds with fair results. Two aircraft from the 671st landed in Southern England due to gas shortage. They were piloted by Lt. D.A. Fero and Lt. J.D. Adams.

Flak was light on these missions, and none of the group aircraft received battle damage.

"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.