416th BG Mission 135

Box I -- Flight I
1 671st 43-22065 5C-E A-20J Maj Willetts, D.L. Lt Royalty, P.G. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A. S/Sgt Russell, W.C.	2 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt DeMand, F.W. Lt Burns, A.C., Jr. S/Sgt Troyer, R.J. S/Sgt Middleton, C.W.	3 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt Lackovich, J.J. Sgt Barry, R.M. Sgt Connery, T.F.
4 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt Morehouse, R.C. S/Sgt Zygiel, L.A. S/Sgt Burgess, A.J.	5 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Henderson, F.W. S/Sgt Griswold, R.M. S/Sgt Coulombe, P.E.	6 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Wilds, H.J. S/Sgt Ashton, L.A.

Box I -- Flight II
1 670th 43-21467 F6-W A-20J Lt Monroe, H.A. Lt Kirk, R.L. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Miller, R.L.	2 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Lt Atkinson, P.G., Jr. Lt Ackerson, D.G. S/Sgt Swafford, J.O., Jr. Sgt Hall, M.	3 670th 43-22063 F6-A A-20J Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. Lt Brewer, W.E., Sr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. S/Sgt Maziasz, C.W.
4 670th 43-9720 F6-F A-20G Lt Hall, R.B. S/Sgt Blackford, D.S. S/Sgt Burger, L.C.	5 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Capt Conant, H.F. Sgt Wiggins, H.G. Sgt Cianciosi, A.A.	6 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Sparling, J.R., Jr. Sgt Sienkiewicz, J., Jr. Sgt Leahigh, L.L.

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 43-21819 5H-K A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Shelton, E.L. S/Sgt Schenck, D.R.
4 668th 43-9894 5H-R A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. Sgt Heitell, S.L.	5 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Parker, P.E. Sgt Galloway, A.F. Sgt Kochan, S.J.	6 668th 43-21480 5H-B A-20G Lt Wright, J.W. Sgt Profita, P.J. Sgt Simmonds, J.R.

Box I
SPARE 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Musgrove, W. Sgt Seighman, H.O. Sgt Licker, M.

Box II -- Flight I
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 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Miller, J.H. S/Sgt Galender, J.W. S/Sgt Schrom, R.G.	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 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Perkins, R.D. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H.	5 671st 43-9719 5C-J A-20G Lt Eastman, D.M. Cpl Johnson, R.J. Cpl Eaton, A.B.	6 671st 43-10165 5C-H A-20G Lt Gary, J.C. Sgt Cheuvront, R.W. Sgt Schoen, A.E., Jr.

Box II -- Flight II
1 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Capt Huff, M.J. Lt Kupits, J. S/Sgt Basford, F.P. Sgt Clark, R.A.	2 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Lt Greene, W.J. Lt Nichols, J.R. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. S/Sgt Colbert, W.F.	3 669th 43-10190 2A-I A-20G Lt Street, M.S. S/Sgt Prindle, C.A. S/Sgt Epps, E.T. [Not Airborne Right Oil Temperature High]
4 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Siggs, W.C. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. S/Sgt Radlich, N.	5 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Poundstone, L.E. Sgt Burland, A.J. S/Sgt Heath, K. [Returned Early [unreadable]]	6 669th 43-9692 2A-M A-20G Lt Miller, E.L. Cpl Malloy, J.F. Cpl Pemberton, J.M.

Box II -- Flight III
1 669th 43-21469 2A-J A-20J Capt Hulse, D.A., Jr. Lt Conte, R.F., Sr. S/Sgt Allred, F.D. S/Sgt Stephens, D.W.	2 669th 43-21961 2A-P A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. Sgt Donnelly, W.W.	3 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt LaNave, O.D. Cpl Moskowitz, L.
4 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Blomgren, J.E. S/Sgt Bookach, M. Sgt Fleming, L.R.	5 669th 43-21767 2A-N A-20G Lt DuBose, M.W. Cpl Griffin, D.L., Jr. Cpl Walters, J.H.	6 669th 43-9202 2A-B A-20G Lt Hall, E.P. Sgt Sharp, R.P., Jr. Sgt Carstens, R.W.

Box II
SPARE 668th 43-21760 5H-Z A-20G Lt Kenny, J.P. Sgt Metzler, L.V. Sgt Sittarich, J.J.

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 135 -- September 3, 1944, Sunday AM
Brest, France -- Strong Point

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

Two days later the planes took off to attack a strongpoint in Brest again. The following information was received by Intelligence on the target: "Target requested by ground forces. General Eisenhower has not been too well pleased with progress made in capturing the port of Brest. He has taken personal charge of operations until it falls. We can expect targets there for the next few days or until the port is taken. Today, there will be 300 heavies from the 8th A.F. operating on that area from 0930 to 1130, three groups from the 98th Wing from 1140 until 1200, 15 Groups from 9th T.A.C. and 19th T.A.C. all during the day. Our troops will be from 2,000 to 2,500 yards from the target area--which has been shelled by artillery for the last five days." Despite this urgent request, weather had again to be reckoned with. The planes got over the target, but were forced to return their bombs without an attack.

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

Mission #135 - 3 September - AM - Brest Stronghold. Another early wake up call, with the group taking off at 0600 in total darkness. Major Willets and Lt. Royalty, BN led the formation. Captain Huff and Lt. Kupits, BN, - Captain Hulse and Lt. Conte, BN, - Captain McNulty and Lt. Burseil, BN, and Lts. DeMand and Burn BN, led flights. Lts. Bartmus and Hardy flew deputy. Again, clouds moved in as the 416th neared Brest, so they turned back without dropping. A few hours later, six IX Bomber Command groups were able to bomb the target with the clouds rolling away. They succeeded to practically demolish their aiming points.

"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

Again in the morning of the 3rd, the bombers failed to bomb because of weather. The target was Brest. Capt. Huff and Capt. Hulse were flight leaders. That afternoon only 12 planes could drop on another attack on Brest. Capt. Peck, Lt. Madenfort, B-N, led one of the flights that bombed with fair results.

"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.