19 Jun. 1944 Target: Landes De Bussac, France Aerodrome

Group Mission #152

Credited Mission #146

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DATE: 19 Jun. 1944

Target: Aerodrome at Landes De Bussac, France
Bad Weather - Returned Without Bombing

Briefing Outline:

Airplane and Crew Assignment Check.

Time Schedule:

"C" Box
Stations –	0515
Start Engines –	0525
Taxi –	0535
Take Off –	0550
Last Take Off –	____

Targets:
Primary: Landes De Bussac A/D [Aerodrome] [today: Bussac-Forêt, France]
Secondary: Angers [France]
Last Resort: ____
Loading:
351 “A”: Max. 100 LB. GP [General Purpose] No nose fusing. 1/100 tail.
351 “B”:
Composite:
Nickels [Propaganda Leaflets] in Ship # - ____
Chaff: All ships – 240 units.
Gasoline Loading: 2,500 gallons
Remarks: ____

Wing Formation	94th (A) CBW	94th (C) CBW	Comp. Group	Comp. CBW
Lead		351st
Low		[351st]
High		[351st]

Division Formation:

Position	CBW [Combat Wing]	Target
Lead	1st A
2nd	1st B
3rd	94th A
4th	1st C
5th	94th B
6th	94th C	Landes
7th
8th
2nd Division
3rd Division
Marauders
RAF [Royal Air Force]

Remarks: 600’ interval after assembly.
B wing hits SO [South] dispersals.
C wing hits NO [North] dispersals.

Fighter Cover:

[Force]	[Latitude & Longitude]	[Call Sign]
4 Gps. P-51’s
1 Gp. P-38’s
1 Gp. P-47’s

Group Assembly:

Box	Altitude	Place
"C" High	14,000'	Splasher #11
"C" Lead	13,000’	Splasher #11
"C" Low	12,000'	Splasher #11

Navigator - _____
S-2 - _____
Weather - _____
Special Instructions to Gunners, Bombardiers, and Radio Operators:
Release chaff 8 min. before target and continue for 10 mins.
Wx [Weather] A/C - Cutter B-Baker
Squadron Leaders and Group Deputy report to Target Room. All but Pilots Dismissed.

(A) Code Words – “C” Wing Only

~~PFF Bombing~~ –	None
~~Visual Bombing~~ -	____
Authenticator –	Snake Eyes
Recall -	Back to Bed
Weather Code -	ABITV
Release "CHAFF" -	Tin Hat

(B) Call Signs:

	Call Sign	Flares
C 351st Lead	Woodcraft Red	RG [Red Green]
C 351st Low	Woodcraft Red	YY [Yellow Yellow]
C 351st High	Woodcraft Red	GY [Green Yellow]
B 401st Lead	Woodcraft White	RY
B 401st Low	Woodcraft White	R
B 401st High	Woodcraft White	G
A 457th Lead	Woodcraft Blue	RY
A 457th Low	Woodcraft Blue	R
A 457th High	Woodcraft Blue	G
Composite C.B.W.

(C)

U.S. Fighters	Balance One
R.A.F. Fighters
Bombers	Vinegrove 1-6
U.S. Grnd. Control	Colgate
R.A.F. Grnd. Control

Control Points:		Fighter Reference Points:
_____		______
_____		______

Remarks: ____

(D)

Colors of the Day
Time	Color	Letter	Challenge
0200 – 0800	RY	C	H
0800 – 1400	RR	B	Q
1400 – 2000	__	_	_

(E) Ships To Monitor [Radio Channels A, B, C & D]

- ____
- ____
- ____
- ____

Let-Down on Deenethorpe Buncher , if overcast.
351st A Lead 30° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
351st B High 45° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
351st C Low 15° Mag. [Magnetic Compass Heading]
401st A 330° Mag.
401st B 345° Mag.
401st C 360° Mag.
Flying Control. –
1. Taxi Plan.
2. Emergency Fields. - TANGMERE
3. Landing Aids.
Special Instructions:
457th Assembly on Spl.#11 at 15 – 16 – 17,000’
Grp. & Deputy Leaders Taxi & take off 5 mins. early on light from tower.
Others take off as scheduled.
Spares – E Coast [Return at Enemy Coast]

Operational Narrative – 94th “C” Combat Wing:

General Narrative. Thirty-nine aircraft, including three aircraft scheduled as flying spares and one PFF ship, took off at 0547 – 0611 hours. They proceeded individually to Splasher 11 for the assembly of the 94th “C” Combat Wing. A good assembly was made on time at the briefed altitude of 13,000 feet. The departure from the English coast was made three minutes late at 16,000 feet.
The 94th “B” Combat Wing was scheduled to be ahead of the 94th “C” formation in the Division formation. The “B” Wing was also late and behind the “C” Wing. The “C” Wing executed a double drift to the right which permitted the 94th “B” Combat Wing to pass on the left and take the proper position in the Division formation.
A high, thin cloud layer was encountered before the enemy coast was reached. The Combat Wing Air Commander saw the preceding wings disappearing into the clouds. As there was no apparent way to go around it, a slow climb was started. The combat wing formation was in this cloud for fifteen to twenty minutes, and upon breaking out at 28,500 feet, the Combat Wing Air Commander saw that only eleven ships of the Lead Box were near enough to form on him. The High and Low Boxes had been completely broken up in the cloud
Both High and Low Box Leaders called for the position of the Lead Box, but were still unable to collect their own formations or locate the Lead Box.
Upon reaching a point at 47°49’N-00°10’E [13 miles South of Le Mans, France], the weather still looked bad ahead and the formation had not been reformed. The Combat Wing Air Commander decided to abandon the mission, and after informing the High and Low Boxes of this fact, returned to base.
The Low Box had been split up while going through the haze and at the order to abandon the mission had nine ships in formation. The return route was flown through the cloud layer, and as a result, five of the nine ships in formation became separated. Return to base was made by the four aircraft of the Low Box still in formation, the others returning singly.
The High Box lead and deputy ships broke out of the soup together at 28,000 feet, five to six miles right of course. The remaining aircraft of the High Box had been lost in the climb. It had been necessary to break up the formation due to a collision course being flown with the 94th “B” Combat Wing. The order to abandon the mission was received at 47°51’N-00°02’W [15 miles SW of Le Mans, France]. The two aircraft of the High Box went over the top of the strato-cumulus at 32,500 feet and returned to base. The rest of the aircraft of the High Box returned to base individually.
Landings were made at 0935 – 1057 by the returning aircraft. Opposition by flak or enemy aircraft was nil.
Aircraft Not Attacking. Aircraft 42-37512 (Lead Box) pilot Lt. Caughlan, returned to base from the vicinity of Splasher 11 because of an oxygen leak on the right hand side of the ship.
Aircraft 42-37595, pilot Lt. McAffee, returned to base as planned. This aircraft had been scheduled as a flying spare (High Box).
The other two aircraft scheduled as flying spares did not turn back as planned.
The remaining thirty-seven aircraft returned to base without attacking, as indicated in the General Narrative.
Aircraft Lost. No aircraft were lost on the Mission of 19 June, 1944.
Combat Wing Air Commander. Major Leonard B. Roper, flying in aircraft 42-97651, led the 94th “C” Combat Wing.
Group Leaders. Captain Donald A. Gaylord, flying in aircraft 42-107005, led the High Box of the 94th “C” Combat Wing.
Lt. John R. White, flying in aircraft 42-102955, led the Low Box of the 94th “C” Combat Wing.
PFF Aircraft. The 401st and 457th Groups both used one PFF aircraft apiece that are assigned to the 351st Group. Both aircraft attacked the primary targets assigned to these two groups.

Statistical Summary Report:

94th "C" COMBAT WING
	LEAD	HIGH	LOW	PFF A/C	PFF A/C	PFF A/C	TOTAL
	GROUP	GROUP	GROUP		with 401st Gp	with 457th Gp
No. of A/C Scheduled	12	13	13	1	1	1	41
No. of A/C Failed to Take Off	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
No. of A/C Taking Off	12	13	13	1	1	1	41
No. of A/C Taking Off Less Unused Spares	12	12	13	1	1	1	40
Name of Primary Target	Landes de Bussac, A/D [Aerodrome]
No. of A/C Attacking Primary	0	0	0	0	1	1	2
No., Size & Type Of Bombs	0	0	0	0	36x100 GP	36x100 GP	72x100 GP
No. of A/C Not Attacking	12	12	13	1	0	0	38
Disposition of Bombs:
Brought Back	456 x 100 GP	489 x 100 GP	494 x 100 GP	37 x 100 GP	__	__	1476 x 100 GP
Total Bombs Loaded (Includes 1 Flying Spare)	456 x 100 GP	489 x 100 GP	494 x 100 GP	37 x 100 GP	36 x 100 GP	36 x 100 GP	1548 X 100 GP

NOTE: 94th “C” CBW abandoned Ops at a point 90 miles inside enemy coast.

Bombardier’s Narrative:

No bombs were dropped on the Mission of 19 June, 1944.
The following reports will not be submitted for the Mission of 19 June, 1944.
1. Combat Bombing Flight Record.
2. Group Bombing Plot Record.
3. Bombardier’s Narrative.

[Signed:] William B. Lyttle, Captain, Air Corps, Group Bombardier

Track Chart:
Click on Chart to Enlarge

Mission Summary Report:

Abortives and Flying Spares:
1. Airplane No. 43-37512, 510th Squadron, returned early because of a leak in the co-Pilot’s Oxygen regulator. (Lead Box)
Battle Damage:
1. Airplane No. 42-97636, 511th Squadron. Flak hole through left inboard wing panel, damaging Tokyo tank. Flak hole through right inboard wing panel, damaging skin and corrugation. Flak hole through vertical stabilizer. Flak hole right side of tail gunner’s compartment, skin damage. Flak on side of vertical stabilizer fairing (right), skin damage only. Flak damage to #1 nacelle hitting former and oil tank. (Flew with another Group).

[Signed:] Carl A. Ekblad, Captain, Air Corps, Engineering Officer

Aircraft Returning Early:

Aircraft No. 512 Squadron - 510 Pilot - E. C. Caughlan
Time of Abortive - ___ Location when Aborted - 3 minutes from Splasher 11.
Reason - Oxygen system on right hand side leaked. Pressure at time of abortive – 100 lbs. & going down.
Disposition of Bombs: In plane.
Altitude At Time of Aborting: 13,000’
Enemy Opposition Encountered - None
Remarks:
[Signed] E.C. Caughlan
[Handwritten in] Called in to Lt. Olds. O.K. Capt. Davey

“J” Form:

Last Four numbers and Call Letter of A/C in each Squadron:

a. 94th "C" Combat Wing Lead Box
Sqdn 508th A/C:
Sqdn 509th A/C: 7202–Z, 9760–M Spare
Sqdn 510th A/C: 7651–Y, 2576–C, 6082–B, 7077–D, 7512–S, 7124–F, 8038–R, 7252–K, 8028–Q, 7515–L, 0857–J,
Sqdn 511th A/C:
P.F.F. Sqdn ___ A/C: _

c. 94th "C" Combat Wing High Box
Sqdn 508th A/C:
Sqdn 509th A/C: (7595–O Spare)
Sqdn 510th A/C:
Sqdn 511th A/C: 7005–Q, 7381–U, 7216–Y, 1748–V, 7571–X, 1714–R, 7524–D, 7492–B, 8153–F, 1875–P, 6139–K, 2952–H,

b. 94th "C" Combat Wing Low Box
Sqdn 508th A/C: 7349–B, 1711–F, 2949–G, 7843–C, 2971–J, 8146–D, 1192–R, 7727–N
Sqdn 509th A/C: 7169–N, 7926–X, 7144–R, 7676–L Spare
Sqdn 510th A/C: 2955–P
Sqdn 511th A/C:

Target: Z-710

W/T and R/T Operational Call Sign of each Squadron:

Squadron	508 [Call Sign]	W/T WPK R/T CARLTON		Squadron	510 [Call Sign]	W/T TOY R/T TIPSTAFF
Squadron	509 [Call Sign]	W/T MTB R/T HOTMINT		Squadron	511 [Call Sign]	W/T UWT R/T PARTNERSHIP

a. ____ Box: Taxi – 0535; Take-Off – 0550; E.T.D. Field – 0550
b. ____ Box: Taxi – ____; Take-Off – ____; E.T.D. Field – ____

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (OUT)
0723	16,000 Ft	50°46'N-00°55'W [Off the shore of West Wittering, England]

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (IN)
0750	20,000 Ft	49°21'N-00°44'W [At shore of Commes, France]

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing Enemy Coast: (Out)
1146	20,000 Ft	49°52'N-00°40'E [At shore at Saint-Valery-en-Caux, France]

Time: Height: Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)

1206 10,000 Ft Beachy Head
E.T.R.(Estimated Time of Return) Base: 1254 Hours
MF/DF [Medium Frequency/Direction Finder] Section: "N"
Bomb load of Each A/C: "C" Lead Box
508 Squadron: ___
509 Squadron: 38 x 100# G.P. [General Purpose] No Nose Fuse - 1/100 Tail [Fuse]
510 Squadron: 38 x 100# G.P. [General Purpose] No Nose Fuse - 1/100 Tail [Fuse]
511 Squadron: ___

Bomb load of Each A/C: "C" High Box
508 Squadron: ___
509 Squadron: 38 x 100# G.P. [General Purpose] No Nose Fuse - 1/100 Tail [Fuse]
510 Squadron: ___
511 Squadron: 38 x 100# G.P. [General Purpose] No Nose Fuse - 1/100 Tail [Fuse]

Bomb load of Each A/C: "C" Low Box
508 Squadron: 38 x 100# G.P. [General Purpose] No Nose Fuse - 1/100 Tail [Fuse]
509 Squadron: 38 x 100# G.P. [General Purpose] No Nose Fuse - 1/100 Tail [Fuse]
510 Squadron: 38 x 100# G.P. [General Purpose] No Nose Fuse - 1/100 Tail [Fuse]
511 Squadron: ___
Fuel Load of each A/C: 2500 Gallons
Group Leader:
a. Lead Box: Name: L.B. Roper Rank: Major A/C: 7651-Y Sqdn. 510th
b. Low Box: Name: J.R. White Rank: 1st Lt. A/C: 2955-P Sqdn. 510th
c. Low Box: Name: D.A. Gaylord Rank: Capt. A/C: 7005-Q Sqdn. 511th
Passengers, if any: (Full Name, Rank, A/C and Squadron Passenger flying with)
None

Time:	Height:	Place of Crossing English Coast: (IN)
1206	10,000 Ft	Beachy Head

Report Compiled By Leo A. Curley, T/Sgt.

Formation Chart:

Lead Box Formation Take–Off
				510th Squadron
				Roper–Grunow A/C 42-97651 Y PFF
			Gibbons A/C 44-6082 B		McIntyre A/C 42-102576 C
				Crockett A/C 42-107077 D
	510th Squadron						510th Squadron
	Auten A/C 42-97252 K						Caughlan A/C 43-37512 S
Fults A/C 43-37515 L		Hillebrand A/C 42-38028 Q				Neal A/C 42-107124 F		Keller A/C 42-97202 Z
	Stratakis A/C 42-30857 J						Walker A/C 42-38038 R
							Petersen A/C 42-39760 M Spare

High Box Formation Take–Off
				511th Squadron
				Gaylord–Zotollo A/C 42-107005 Q
			Woodrum A/C 42-107216 Y		Heller A/C 42-97381 U
				Turbyne A/C 42-31748 V
	511th Squadron						511th Squadron
	Willard A/C 42-38153 F						Smith–Belote A/C 43-37571 X
Long A/C 44-6139 K		Myl A/C 42-31875 P				Nelson–Bland A/C 43-37524 D		Dingle A/C 42-31714 R
	Seagraves–Lawsen A/C 42-102952 H						Karagianis A/C 42-97492 B
							McAfee A/C 43-37595 O Spare

Low Box Formation Take–Off
				508th Squadron
				White A/C 42-102955 P
			Pattison A/C 42-31711 F		Overholt A/C 42-97349 B
				McLott A/C 42-102949 G
	509th Squadron						508th Squadron
	Nall A/C 42-97926 X						Hales A/C 42-97843 C
Wright A/C 43-37727 N		Edwards A/C 42-97144 R				Miller A/C 42-102971 J		Muhleman A/C 42-97169 N
	Leland A/C 42-31192 R						Lord A/C 42-38146 D
							McCall A/C 43-37676 L Spare

Time Schedule:
Zero Hour: 0615 DBST [Double British Standard Time] Briefing: 0300 Stations: 0515 Start Engines: 0525 Taxi: 0535 Take-Off: 0550 Leave Base: 0550 [Breakfast: Gunners 0130, Officers 0200]

[Wounded - 0]

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The above records were obtained at the National Archives Records Administration and have been declassified by authority NND 745005

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351st Bomb Group

Polebrook, England

Group Mission #152

Credited Mission #146