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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 54 -- May 24, 1944, Wednesday PM Abbeville Drucat, France Airdrome (S.786)
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 54 -- May 24, 1944, Wednesday PM Abbeville Drucat, France Airdrome (S.786)
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 42 Total -- 35 A-20G's, 7 A-20J's Target Operational Number: Z 136 Illustration : S 786/6 Illustration Ref : 100110 Summary of Results : Three boxes, 14 ships first 2 boxes and 11 ships in box 3, preceded by 3 ships dispersing window only. Box 1 - Excellent Box 2 - Poor Box 3 - Excellent Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.15363,1.85065 (50° 9' 13" N, 1° 51' 2" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on Google Maps, Visual match to Strike Photo) (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 # 54 -- May 24, 1944, Wednesday PM
Abbeville Drucat, France -- Airdrome (S.786)
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. T/Sgt Robbins, L.G. S/Sgt Simpson, D.H. |
2 668th 43-10125 5H-M A-20J Capt Prentiss, R.B. Lt Lytle, W.M. S/Sgt McCreery, J.E. S/Sgt Sylva, H.J. |
3 668th 43-9701 5H-H A-20G Col Mace, H.L. S/Sgt Hibbs, C.L. S/Sgt Hill, A.A. |
| 4 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Meagher, J.F. Sgt Hantske, D. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. |
5 668th 43-9963 5H-N A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. S/Sgt Antanaitis, A.J. |
6 668th 43-9684 5H-K A-20G Lt Sims, T.J. Sgt Larsen, H.W. S/Sgt Williamson, J.C., Jr. |
| 1 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt Rudisill, R.S. S/Sgt Riley, R.K. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J. |
2 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Lt Johnson, E.L. Sgt Blackford, D.S. S/Sgt Brayn, M.R. |
3 670th 43-9978 F6-S A-20G Lt Rooney, R.J. S/Sgt McCleary, H.M. S/Sgt DiNapoli, S.F. |
| 4 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Monroe, H.A. S/Sgt Kidd, W.L. S/Sgt Risko, S. |
| 1 670th 43-9227 F6-F A-20G Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. Sgt Maziasz, C.W. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. |
2 670th 43-9750 F6-M A-20G Lt McBride, L.R. Cpl McKee, J.C. S/Sgt Eutsler, R.J. |
3 670th 43-10157 F6-P A-20G Lt Shea, D.F. S/Sgt Lee, R.E., Jr. S/Sgt Falk, F.G. |
| 4 670th 43-9209 F6-K A-20G Lt Sewell, J.C. Sgt Martinez, L. Sgt Daniel, W.J., Sr. |
| 1 669th 43-9442 2A-D A-20J Capt Clark, R.A. Lt Jones, C.W. S/Sgt Bergeron, A.E. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E. |
2 671st 43-9645 5C-R A-20J Lt Marzolf, L.A. Lt Basnett, R.J. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G. |
3 669th 43-10148 2A-H A-20G Lt Dontas, P. S/Sgt Nielsen, A.L. S/Sgt Fields, W.E. |
| 4 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Siggs, W.C. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. S/Sgt Radlich, N. |
5 669th 43-9840 2A-V A-20G Lt Smith, J.F., Jr. Sgt Vafiadis, C. S/Sgt Hoffman, R.C. |
6 669th 43-10206 2A-F A-20G Lt Vleghels, A.J. Sgt Rice, R.W. Sgt Young, C.E. |
| 1 669th 43-9376 2A-O A-20G Lt Morton, R.J. T/Sgt Kelly, W.J. S/Sgt Ferguson, W.G. |
2 669th 43-9181 2A-A A-20G Lt Land, W.H. S/Sgt Alden, S.F. S/Sgt Ballinger, R.L. |
3 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt Gullion, A.W., Jr. S/Sgt Rosenstein, M. S/Sgt Carney, H.O. |
| 4 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Renth, E.J., Jr. S/Sgt LaNave, O.D. S/Sgt Citty, F.M. |
| 1 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Shaefer, R.F. S/Sgt Judd, E.R., Jr. S/Sgt Fejes, J.A., Jr. |
2 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Wipperman, R.A. S/Sgt Ahrens, H.S. Sgt Mazza, L.C. |
3 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Wilds, H.J. Sgt Ashton, L.A. |
| 4 671st 43-9220 5C-E A-20G Lt Platter, E.T. S/Sgt Johnson, K.L. S/Sgt Czech, J.L. |
| 1 670th 43-9455 F6-T A-20J Lt Osborne, A.E., Jr. Lt Forma, W. S/Sgt Kelly, E.E. S/Sgt Coe, W.H. |
2 670th 43-9452 F6-Q A-20J Maj Napier, J.G. Lt Smith, W.L. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H. |
3 668th 43-10226 5H-E A-20G Lt Ritchie, S.B., Jr. S/Sgt Anderson, E.A. S/Sgt Newkirk, A.W., Jr. |
| 4 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. S/Sgt Perkins, H., Jr. Sgt Newell, S.P. |
5 668th 43-10203 5H-R A-20G Lt Nikas, A.P. Sgt Scott, G.W. Sgt Smith, H.W. |
6 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Miracle, R.V. S/Sgt Burkhalter, J.C. S/Sgt Sieg, B.C. |
| 1 671st 43-10214 5C-C A-20G Lt Wheeler, R.V. S/Sgt Corrin, E.W. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. |
2 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Miller, J.H. Sgt Schrom, R.G. Sgt Galender, J.W. [Not Airborne] |
3 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Adams, J.D. S/Sgt Clearman, P.L., Jr. Sgt Zeikus, A.J. |
| 1 668th 43-10194 5H-A A-20G Lt MacManus, P.F.E., Jr. S/Sgt Rogers, J.L., Jr. S/Sgt Fleischman, G.I. |
2 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. Sgt Rodgers, H.C. Sgt VanDuyne, J.E. |
3 671st 43-10164 5C-I A-20G Lt Greenley, R.E. S/Sgt Worden, H.C. S/Sgt Rzepka, J.J. |
| 1 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Lt Sommers, H.L. Lt McQuade, R.J. S/Sgt Coffey, G.L. S/Sgt Cope, G.F. |
2 671st 43-9393 5C-K A-20G Lt Durante, A.R. S/Sgt Best, H.T. S/Sgt DeGiusti, I.R. |
3 670th 43-10211 F6-O A-20G Lt Leonard, T.J. S/Sgt Evans, O.D. S/Sgt Palmer, T.A. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 54 -- May 24, 1944, Wednesday PM
Abbeville Drucat, France -- Airdrome (S.786)
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
Two missions were sent out on the 24th to attack the airfields at Beaumont le Roger and Abbeville-Drucat. The first formation led by Major Willetts and Captain Conant had poor results. The second formation, however, caused much destruction to the hangers and blast shelters of what used to be the home of the "Abbeville Kids", the crack Me 109 fighter outfit. The boxes were led by Major Price, Captain Clark, and Lt Osborne.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Pages 79 - 80
Mission #54 -24 May - PM - Abbeyville-Drucat Airfield. This is the home of the dangerous yellow nose painted ME-109s. Major Price, Lt. Hand, BN, led Box I with Captain Clark and Lt. Jones, BN on Box II and Lt. Osborne, and Lt. Forma leading Box III. Lt. Marzolf and Lt. Basnett, BN participated. Bomb results were not too good. Boxes I and II were wide and short respectively, with Box III slightly short and right of the aiming point. No flak was encountered, much to the surprise of everyone. Window planes preceeded the boxes because of the expected heavy barrages coming up. Was someone asleep down there? P-47s accompanied the formation, but they did not have to work either.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
From May 23rd to May 30th, the squadron flew a total of ninety-eight
sorties on missions to attack the Beaumont-LeRoger airdrome; the
Abbeville-Drucat airdrome; the Monchy-Breton airdrome; the Beauvais-
Tille airdrome; the Amiens marshalling yards; the Bruges-St Michiel
Naval Radar Direction Finder Station in Belgium; the Vacqueriette
Noball site; the Behen Noball site; the Achiet airdrome and the
Denain-Prouby airdrome.
Lt Crispino was awarded the Purple Heart for the injuries
sustained on the 19th, and Sgt Zaklikiewicz for wounds sustained on
May 26th.
The Stars and Strips carried an article on May 24th, which
concerned the group. In the story about veteran gunners of other
campaigns of this war, S/Sgt Riley and S/Sgt Kidd of our unit,
received credit due them for previous operational experience. (See
Exhibit # 19 attached.)
Lt Maltby received his promotion to 1st Lt on May 22nd.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
Major Willets lead the Group formation into another airdrome, this time west of Paris, on the morning of May 24th , 1944. No flak was encountered and the trip was uneventful with one exception û a 3,000 foot per minute descent through scattered clouds upon return to the base. However, this was done with the minimum of chaos and all planes landed safely.
Bomb results were not to good. Lt. Royalty dropped 600 feet short of the A.P. and the second box 2,000 feet short.
In the afternoon Major Price led three boxes of 14 aircraft to the Abbeville-Ducat airdrome. All ships but the last box carried "window" to drop over the areas, which were reported to have heavy flak barrage. In addition three ships went ahead of the formation and dropped window. However, for some unexplainable reason, flak was not encountered during the complete mission û much to the surprise of everyone. Bombing results were fair to good as only two of the boxes hit the A.P.