Loading List 1, Box I




Loading List 2, Box II




On orders from General Eisenhower himself, the bombing of Brest began on September 1, 1944.
Over a six day period, the 416th conducted six consecutive missions against this target,
effectively neutralizing an enemy stronghold and contributing to the surrender of the city.
(NARA)

Included are Box, Flight and Position; Bomb Squadron; Aircraft Serial Number, Fuselage Code and Model; and Crew Members
transcribed from individual mission Loading List documents by Chris and Mary Adams and Carl Sgamboti.
Some information, such as Squadron, Serial Number, etc. has been expanded from other documents.

Group and Unit Histories

Mission # 136 -- September 3, 1944, Sunday PM
Brest, France -- Strong Point

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

That afternoon, as we had been forewarned, Brest was again the target, but weather still hung over the objective. Yet 12 planes managed to pick up the strongpoint and although the bomb runs were short, fair results were achieved. Major Price and Captain McNulty led the two boxes.

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

Mission #136 - 3 September - PM - Brest Stronghold. Major Price and Lt. Hand, BN, and Captain McNulty and Lt. Burseil, BN led Boxes. Captain Peck and Lt. Madenfort, BN, - Lts. Greenley and Mitchell, BN and Lts. Adams and Hanlon, led flights. Trying to bomb by flights, only two flights were able to release their bombs, with only fair results due to poor visibility. The other flights returned with their bombs. It was surprising that such an important target did not call for heavy anti-aircraft guns. No damage was encountered by our planes. One full flight had to land in the south of England to refuel before getting back to Wethersfield.

Our targets in France were getting too far away from Wethersfield, so the move to the continent had to come pretty soon.

"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.

[September 3, 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 3, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress

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