432

22 June 1944

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 38.7 T

ABBEVILLE (Primary)

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 35.5 T

BRIE-COMTE-ROBERT SUG (Opportunistic)

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00

BUC (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 107.8 T

Ghent Maritime, Marshalling Yards (Primary)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Brigadier-General Frank Alton Armstrong Jr. during a visit to the 305th Bomb Group Official caption on image: "(GPR-83-9305) (18-6-43) (Brig. Gen. Armstrong..."
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 205.7 T

DOUAI (Opportunistic)

Description: RAILROAD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 12 T

DOUAI (Opportunistic)

Description: RAILROAD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 3 T

DREUX (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 30 T

ETAMPES (Opportunistic)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 62.8 T

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 37 T

GUYANCOURT/CAUDRON (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Notes: 2nd Bomb Division was made up of 44th Bomb Group, 93rd Bomb Group,392nd Bomb Group, 446th Bomb Group,448th Bomb Group,458th Bomb Group, 466th Bomb Group,467th Bomb Group, 489th Bomb Group, 491st Bomb Group, 492nd Bomb Group.

A formation of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group enroute to Europe. Printed caption on reverse: '71049 AC- A formation of Consolidated B-24 "Liberators" of the 2nd Bomb Division, roars over Europe en route to the target area. 24 November 1944. US Air Force photo.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 135 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 36 T

Description: RAILROAD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 21.9 T

LILLE/FIMES (Primary)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Notes: 1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 92nd Bomb Group, 303rd Bomb Group, 305th Bomb Group, 306th Bomb Group, 351st Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 381st Bomb Group, 384th Bomb Group, 398th Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Group, 457th Bomb Group.

Brigadier-General Frank Alton Armstrong Jr. during a visit to the 305th Bomb Group Official caption on image: "(GPR-83-9305) (18-6-43) (Brig. Gen. Armstrong..."
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 226.5 T

MAZINGARBE (Primary)

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 17.3 T

MELUN (Opportunistic)

Description: BRIDGE

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 27.5 T

MELUN (Opportunistic)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 26.5 T

NUCOURT (Primary)

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-17s is 94th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group

Three B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 94th Bomb Group are attacked by a Nazi Fighter aircraft during a mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-62641 USAF: Nazi fighter plane attacking Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" during a bomb run over enemy installations somewhere in Europe, 10 September 1944. 100th[sic] Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division. U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 207.5 T

PARIS (Primary)

Description: OIL DEPOT

Notes: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of B-24s is 493rd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group, 489th Bomb Group, 490th Bomb Group

Three B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 94th Bomb Group are attacked by a Nazi Fighter aircraft during a mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-62641 USAF: Nazi fighter plane attacking Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" during a bomb run over enemy installations somewhere in Europe, 10 September 1944. 100th[sic] Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division. U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 240 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 10.8 T

ROUEN (Opportunistic)

Description: OIL STORAGE TANKS

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 24.50

ROUEN (Primary)

Description: OIL DEPOT

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 457th BG - ISSION NO. 74 - ROUEN, FRANCE 22 JUNE, 1944 The striking power of the Eighth Air Force was directed back to tactical targets; 800 bombers were dispatched against power installations, communications lines, airfields and oil depots. The 45 7th attacked oil dumps in France. The target was on the south bank of the Seine River across from the City of Rouen. It had not been attacked before. The 457th supplied two 12 ship boxes for the mission. Lt. Louis 0. Mueller was Air Commander of the lead B box, with Lt. Kenneth R. Johnston as pilot. Major Eugene Peresich was Commander of the low B box, with Lt. Harry Stafford as pilot. The route to the target was again over the invasion coast. The entire Normandy beachhead was visible. Bombing results were good, in spite of the fact that the lead bombardier, Lt. Harry G. Vaal, was hit in the eye by splintered glass from the plexiglass nose due to a flak hit on the bomb mn. Flak was heavy and accurate with fifteen craft damaged. One aircraft was piloted by Lt. Franklin H. Morrell. He brought it back to England, and prepared for a crash landing, without brakes. When he touched down, the plane veered off to the right, hitting the wing of another aircraft, and then crashed head-on into a parked aircraft. Both caught fire immediately and were completely consumed by flames, shooting two and three hundred feet into the air. Fifty caliber shells were exploding; projectiles and pieces of metal flew through the air. Flares were going off continually and the heat was terrific. Miraculously the entire crew escaped. Lt. Eugene F. Tangherlini, an assistant engineering officer with the 749th, and Sgt. Herbert B. Mayers, a flight chief, raced to the scene. The wing of the first ship to be hit, before the head- on collision, was actually overlapped the fuselage of one of the burning ships. Lt. Tangherlini knew that the ship had to be moved without delay. He further realized that the gas tanks were partially filled, and that if a fire did develop, the ship would explode. Despite the difficulties encountered and the danger involved, Lt. Tangherlini and Sgt. Mayers succeeded in moving the ship a safe distance from the fire. After this was accomplished, the two men returned to the scene of the fire and repeated the performance by moving another Fortress away from the flames. It was found later that the wing on the first ship to be taxied away had actually begun to melt. Because of the courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lt. Tangherlini and Sgt. Mayers, both were decorated with the Bronze Star medal for the heroism displayed. Sgt. James H. Denny of the 468th Sub Depot also witnessed the crash. He grabbed a half track and raced to the scene. Upon arriving be opened the door of the crashed bomber to permit the crew to escape. He then tied the half track to the tail of the craft and pulled it away from the other craft. For the heroism he displayed, he was awarded the Soldier's medal. (Compilers Note: Jim Denny relates that Sgt. James W Vaughn, also with the 468th Sub Depot, was involved with the rescue and was also awarded the Soldier's medal.)

Brigadier-General Frank Alton Armstrong Jr. during a visit to the 305th Bomb Group Official caption on image: "(GPR-83-9305) (18-6-43) (Brig. Gen. Armstrong..."
  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 68.7 T

SAMUR

Description: BRIDGE

Notes: 9 of 10 B-24s use glide bombs to attack the Samur Bridge. Escort is provided by 41 of 43 P-51s. No losses and no casualties

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 5 T

ST CYR (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 126 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 36.6 T

Description: BRIDGE

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 5.5 T

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33574325
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-758675
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Diana Queen Of The Chase
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Spam-O-Liner
  • Unit: 545th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Paisano
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron 336th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Little Kenny
  • Unit: 544th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Challenger
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/

Date
Changes
Sources

Associated Bomb Groups of 1st Bomb Division. Correction to location name.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.