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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 97 -- July 12, 1944, Wednesday AM Foret D'Andaine, France Fuel Dump
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 97 -- July 12, 1944, Wednesday AM Foret D'Andaine, France Fuel Dump
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 32 Total -- 26 A-20G's, 4 A-20J's, 2 B-26's (PFF) Tactical Target Dossier: 4801W/H/1 Illustration : 4801W/22 Illustration Ref : 093042 Summary of Results : Unobserved. Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 48.58780,-0.48985 (48° 35' 16" N, 0° 29' 23" W) (Latitude/Longitude based on Google Maps, Selected Forest center - Foret D'Andaine, France) (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 # 97 -- July 12, 1944, Wednesday AM
Foret D'Andaine, France -- Fuel Dump
| 1 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Maj Willetts, D.L. Lt Royalty, P.G. T/Sgt Larronde, F.H. S/Sgt Lempka, H.A. |
2 669th 43-10135 2A-T A-20J Capt Huff, M.J. Lt Kupits, J. Sgt Clark, R.A. Sgt Basford, F.P. |
3 671st 43-9951 5C-P A-20G Lt Miller, J.H. S/Sgt Schrom, R.G. S/Sgt Galender, J.W. |
| 1 670th 43-9750 F6-M A-20G Lt Ostrander, W.B. S/Sgt Wilson, J.E. S/Sgt Binney, I. |
2 670th 43-9209 F6-K A-20G Lt Calkins, C.R. Sgt Wilson, B.R. S/Sgt Shaw, C.L. |
3 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt Brown, N.G. S/Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Addleman, R.F. |
| 4 670th 43-9224 F6-E A-20G Lt Greene, W.J. S/Sgt Ochaba, J.A. S/Sgt Colbert, W.F. |
| 1 670th 43-9978 F6-S A-20G Lt Rooney, R.J. S/Sgt McCleary, H.M. S/Sgt DiNapoli, S.F. |
2 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Singletary, R.B. Sgt Cianciosi, A.A. Sgt Wiggins, H.G. |
3 670th 43-9680 F6-R A-20G Lt Hillerman, J.P. Sgt Paules, E.F. Sgt Martinez, L. |
| 4 670th 43-9380 F6-N A-20G Lt Johnson, E.L. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. S/Sgt Brayn, M.R. |
| 1 670th 43-9207 F6-B A-20G Lt Harrold, F.J., Jr. S/Sgt Griffin, E.L. S/Sgt Maziasz, C.W. |
2 670th 43-21759 F6-G A-20G Lt Sommers, D.T. Sgt Zaklikiewicz, S.R. Sgt Johnson, J.L. |
3 670th 43-9892 F6-L A-20G Lt Grunig, D.B. Sgt Dias, M.E. Sgt Nowosielski, H.J., Jr. |
| 4 670th 43-9387 F6-H A-20G Lt McGlohn, C.L. S/Sgt Moran, J.W. S/Sgt Driskill, P.B. |
| SPARE 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt York, R.W. S/Sgt Wilds, H.J. S/Sgt Ashton, L.A. |
| 1 671st 43-21711 5C-S A-20J Lt Marzolf, L.A. Lt Beck, J.T. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. S/Sgt Kutzer, L.G. |
2 668th 43-9640 5H-Z A-20J Lt Meagher, J.F. Lt Burg, J.J. T/Sgt Robbins, L.G. S/Sgt Simpson, D.H. |
3 671st 43-9956 5C-Z A-20G Lt Morehouse, R.C. S/Sgt Zygiel, L.A. S/Sgt Burgess, A.J. |
| 1 671st 43-9363 5C-L A-20G Lt Adams, J.D. S/Sgt Zeikus, A.J. S/Sgt Clearman, P.L., Jr. |
2 671st 43-9220 5C-E A-20G Lt Withington, D.L., III Sgt McElhattan, L.D. Sgt Huss, C.F. |
3 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt Ames, W.H. Sgt Fessler, H.S. Sgt Brown, R.J. |
| 4 671st 43-9221 5C-F A-20G Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Brown, K.P. S/Sgt Harp, C.J. |
| 1 669th 43-9929 2A-C A-20G Lt DeMun, E.E. S/Sgt Rosenstein, M. S/Sgt Carney, H.O. |
2 669th 43-9743 2A-W A-20G Lt Siggs, W.C. S/Sgt Nicks, R.W. S/Sgt Radlich, N. |
3 669th 43-9717 2A-N A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Wing, J.S. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. |
| 4 669th 43-9900 2A-Q A-20G Lt Behlmer, R.L. S/Sgt Ferguson, W.G. T/Sgt Kelly, W.J. |
| 1 668th 43-9907 5H-O A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. S/Sgt Hantske, D. Sgt Newell, S.P. |
2 668th 43-10226 5H-E A-20G Lt Mish, C.C. S/Sgt Clark, C.J., Jr. S/Sgt Chustz, R.F. |
3 668th 43-10210 5H-Q A-20G Lt Andersen, C.J., Jr. Sgt Euga, P.G. Sgt Schafer, E.L. |
| 4 668th 43-9362 5H-L A-20G Lt Svenson, R.R. S/Sgt Fild, P.G. S/Sgt Pfenning, G.H. |
| SPARE 671st 43-9937 5C-B A-20G Lt Herman, A.E. Sgt Garrett, A.D. Sgt Young, J.O. [Not Airborne] |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 97 -- July 12, 1944, Wednesday AM
Foret D'Andaine, France -- Fuel Dump
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
On the following day, a fuel dump in the Foret D'Andaine was attacked by PFF bombing through 10/10 clouds. Although the results were unobserved, photo reconnaissance later revealed that the attack was concentrated in the western half of the target area. Bombs uprooted trees and caused severe damage to the area. Major Willetts and Lt Marzolf led the two boxes.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 109
Mission #97 - 12 July - Foret D'Andaine Fuel Depot. - Here again, accurate records are not available, and the only information comes from the 668th's Chet Wysocki. He reports that the crews were awakened at 0400 and after breakfast and briefing, took off at 0730. We do know that Major Willetts and Lt. Royalty, BN were listed as being on this one , but no information as to whether or not they led it. They probably did. Lts. Marzolf and Beck, BN are also listed as are Lt. Meagher with Lt. Burg, BN. No damage was incurred on the planes. Pathfinders again gave us the lead with bombing through the clouds, so no results recorded. Another Milk-Run? We'll take it every time.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
July 12th saw twelve sorties flown by this squadron on a mission to destroy the Foret D'Andaine fuel dump.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
July 7th û July 16th , 1944
During the period from the Seventh of July through the 16th of July, the Group ran only six missions. The main reason for the slackening up has been the bad weather. The missions which were run were led by B-26 Pathfinders and the "bomb through cloud" technique was put into use. Many times during this period the crews went out to the ships, but were called back when the mission was delayed and then usually scrubbed. However, every now and then the group was able to sneak in a mission before it could be called off. That alone accounts for the six sorties in the last ten days... rather six missions.
No planes were downed by enemy action during this time and no crews were injured by flak. Quite a bit of flak was met on a few missions and some of the planes were shot up, although none serious.
Odds and Ends
On July 8th , 1944 Lt. Pair went on his third mission, the first in nearly three months. Lt. Ames and Lt. Withington are now regularly seen on the loading lists. These two pilots joined the Squadron a short time ago and have been doing pretty well for the length of time, with the Group S.O.P.s that each has had to contend with. Lt. Lackovich, a recent addition, is sweating out his first mission and is scheduled to go on the morning mission of July 18th ... after having completed a refresher transition course as put forth by Group Operations.
Just recently all of the older pilots -those who have been with the Squadron prior to coming overseas -have completed, or are preparing to do so their seven day operational leave. The regular 48-hour passes are still in affect. London has not been a very favorable spot to vacation lately as the Jerries have been putting up quite a few flying bombs. The boys complain about lack of sleep, although it is believed that there is a more underlying train of thought behind this lack of sleep excuse.
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[July 12, 1944], HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map Map showing Western Allies and Axis troop position details in Western Europe as of approximately 1200 hours, July 12, 1944 World War II Military Situation Maps Collection Library of Congress |