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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 137 -- September 5, 1944, Tuesday PM Brest, France Strong Points
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 137 -- September 5, 1944, Tuesday PM Brest, France Strong Points
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 36 Total -- 26 A-20G's, 10 A-20J's Modified British System Reference: BREST: COORD. V-939989 COORD. V-914986 Illustration : 4805W/56 Illustration Ref : 078041 Secondary Target : No Alternate Targets Authorized Summary of Results : Three flights scored Excellent, remaining Fair, Poor and Gross. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 48.38409,-4.50414 (48° 23' 3" N, 4° 30' 15" W) (Latitude/Longitude based on The "Coordinates Translator", (LZ1) vV939989) (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 # 137 -- September 5, 1944, Tuesday PM
Brest, France -- Strong Points
| 1 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Capt Huff, M.J. Lt Kupits, J. Sgt Clark, R.A. Sgt Basford, F.P. |
2 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Tripp, W.F., Jr. S/Sgt Scott, J.O. S/Sgt Kemper, L.B. [Kemper (4th CCU)] |
3 668th 43-21717 5H-P A-20J Lt Greene, W.J. Lt Nichols, J.R. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. S/Sgt Colbert, W.F. |
| 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 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt Miller, E.L. Cpl Malloy, J.F. Sgt Pemberton, J.M. |
| 1 670th 43-22063 F6-A A-20J Capt Jackson, C.R. Lt Maltby, A.H. Sgt Burns, D.E. Cpl Basile, A.C. |
2 670th 43-21467 F6-W A-20J Lt Shea, D.F. Lt Koch, O.R. S/Sgt Evans, O.D. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A. |
3 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Lt Atkinson, P.G., Jr. Lt Ackerson, D.G. S/Sgt Swafford, J.O., Jr. S/Sgt Glynn, P.F. |
| 4 670th 43-9217 F6-D A-20G Lt Hall, R.B. S/Sgt Blackford, D.S. S/Sgt Burger, L.C. |
5 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Merritt, T.S. Sgt Hummer, J.A. S/Sgt Gatti, R.J. |
6 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Grunig, D.B. Cpl Collier, J.L. Sgt Dias, M.E. |
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. S/Sgt Roberts, J.H. S/Sgt Naifeh, F. |
2 668th 43-10176 5H-T A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. Sgt Shelton, E.L. S/Sgt Schenck, D.R. |
3 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Meredith, R.G., Jr. S/Sgt Hill, A.A. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W. |
| 4 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. Sgt Heitell, S.L. |
5 668th 43-21764 5H-X A-20G Lt Evans, H.M. Sgt Skeens, C.L. Sgt Merritt, O.N., Jr. |
6 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Andersen, C.J., Jr. Sgt Euga, P.G. Sgt Schafer, E.L. |
| SPARE 668th 43-21760 5H-Z A-20G Lt Kenny, J.P. Sgt Metzler, L.V. Sgt Sittarich, J.J. [Returned Early as Briefed] |
| 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 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt LaNave, O.D. Sgt Wolber, R.A. [Wolber (4th CCU)] |
3 669th 43-9202 2A-B A-20G Lt Blomgren, J.E. Sgt Fleming, L.R. S/Sgt Bookach, M. |
| 4 669th 43-21961 2A-P A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Abriola, D.R. Sgt Donnelly, W.W. |
5 669th 43-9692 2A-M A-20G Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. S/Sgt Vafiadis, C. S/Sgt Hoffman, R.C. |
6 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Allen, J.F., Jr. Sgt Getgen, L.R. Sgt Veazey, C.W. |
| 1 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Capt Marzolf, L.A. Lt Beck, J.T. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. Lt Sampson, T.W. [Sampson (Intel)] |
2 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Lt DeMand, F.W. Lt Burns, A.C., Jr. S/Sgt Troyer, R.J. S/Sgt Middleton, C.W. |
3 671st 43-9956 5C-Z A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Wilds, H.J. S/Sgt Ashton, L.A. |
| 4 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt Morehouse, R.C. S/Sgt Zygiel, L.A. S/Sgt Burgess, A.J. |
5 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Herman, A.E. S/Sgt Garrett, A.D. S/Sgt Young, J.O. |
6 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt Lackovich, J.J. Sgt Barry, R.M. Sgt Connery, T.F. |
| 1 671st 43-22065 5C-E A-20J Lt Cole, H.P. Lt Basnett, R.J. S/Sgt Chvatal, F.R. S/Sgt Fandre, B.G. |
2 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Withington, D.L., III Sgt Huss, C.F. Sgt McElhattan, L.D. |
3 671st 43-9719 5C-J A-20G Lt Ames, W.H. Sgt Fessler, H.S. Sgt Brown, R.J. |
| 4 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Perkins, R.D. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H. |
5 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Eastman, D.M. Cpl Johnson, R.J. Cpl Eaton, A.B. |
6 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Remiszewski, A. Cpl Miguez, J.H. Cpl DiOrio, F.M. |
| SPARE 670th 43-10211 F6-O A-20G Lt Popeney, H.V. Sgt Arnett, W.E. Sgt Candler, H.C.S. [Returned Early as Briefed] |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 137 -- September 5, 1944, Tuesday PM
Brest, France -- Strong Points
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
After a day of more bad weather, our planes made another attempt to wipe out Brest on the 5th. The weather at the target did clear up. With this break, the planes flew in and scored hits which ranged from fair to excellent. Captain Huff and Captain Hulse led this first successful mission of the month. Severe damage was inflicted on the strongpoint and several buildings were destroyed.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 141
Mission #137 - 5 September - Brest Stronghold. Captain Hulse and Lt. Conte, BN and Captain Huff and Lt. Kupits, BN led boxes. Major Price and Lt. Hand, BN, - Captain Cole and Lt. Basnett, BN, - Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck, BN, and Lts. Hand and Burns BN, led flights. The box leaders scored excellent bombing with their bombs destroying the building and causing severe damage to the strongpoint. The 416th Group were the first in over the target this day, followed by so many other groups, that one pilot quipped that they had to take numbers and get in line to bomb. A group of heavies came over the target right behind our group. Devastation was the word of the day for this target. Evidently all groups took "Ike" at his word to bomb until the Brest Port gave in. They're getting close to doing just that! Our flights scored either excellents or goods.
"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
An All-669th show on the 5th provided the best bombing of the month to date. Capt. Huff and Capt. Hulse were the successful box leaders. Their bombs probably destroyed the buildings and caused severe damage to the strongpoint.
"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
Bomber Command meant business when it set out to "bomb Brest until it surrendered". The 416th and the rest of the Ninth Bomber Command went out in successive waves against the port on September 5th and 6th, dropping over 1500 tons of explosives on the installations. The Weathersfield based Havocs flew one mission on the 5th and two on the 6th.
Bombing only a short distance ahead of American ground troops, the 416th tacked up three excellents on their evening mission on September 5th . Captain Marzolf and Lt. Beck did it again with hits on buildings and strong-points. Crews reported severe damage. One pilot commented that there were so many planes over the city, that they practically had to queue up to drop their bombs.
Eleven light and medium bomb groups participated in an early morning assault on the harbor September 6th with excellent results. Good visibility offered the bombardiers a chance to show their skill. Each of the Groups scored at least one excellent and the 416th make off with the best record in the Command with five excellents and a probable sixth. There was a malfunction of the camera in the latter flight, but the Group bombardier reported an excellent by visual observation. Lt. Adams and his bombardier, Lt. Hanlon, leading the third flight in the second box released their bombs on the MPI causing severe damage. This was the second excellent turned in by this pair, who have been leading flights for just a short period. No losses, casualties or battle damage resulted on these two missions.
"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.
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[September 5, 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 5, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |