423
19 June 1944
Associated mission depicted on 19 June 1944
Object Number - UPL 33755 - "Attacked previously on 15 June 44, this is how the German airdrome at Bordeaux, France appeared to crews of an 8th USAAF heavy bomber on 19 June 44...
Description
Bombed an airfield. Nine hour mission. Shortly after retiring we were called again but mission was called off at briefing room.
Mission Details
Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 7.5 T
BORDEAUX/MERIGNAC (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 152.5 T
Description: AIRFIELD
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 22.5 T
Description: AIRFIELD
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 71 T
Description: AIRFIELD
Notes: German airfields in France are the targets. Destruction of the Luftwaffe is proceeding with a vengeance. 1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 381st Bomb Group, 384th Bomb Group, 398th Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Group, 457th Bomb Group. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 100th Bomb Group,390th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 235 T
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Notes: 457th BG - MISSION NO. 70 - LANDES DE BUSSAC, FRANCE 19 JUNE, 1944 German airfields in the Bordeaux region of southeastern France were targets for the 1st Division bombers. The 94th Combat Wing was directed to dispatch three complete wings on the Landes de Bussac airfield 28 miles northeast of Bordeaux. The field had been used as a fighter training base and was being readied as a fighter operational base. The 45 7th composed the entire 94th A Combat Wing with thirty-six planes, flying third in the Division formation. Lt. Col. Henry B. Wilson was Air Commander of the lead A box, with Lt. Charles D. Brannan as pilot. Captain Clarence E. Schuchmann was leader of the high A box. Major William F. Smith led the low A box with Lt. Harry Stafford as pilot. The flight path again took the Group directly over the Normandy beachhead. Although the weather was ten-tenths during most of the route, it broke to three-tenths overcast in the target area. Bombing results were good. There was no enemy fighter opposition and antiaircraft fire was light.
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 64.5 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: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-813458
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35733061
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 336th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20441207
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: I'll Get By
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Doodle Bug
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron 335th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Worry Bird/Miss Bea Haven
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Son of a Blitz
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Liberty Run
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Mission details added courtesy of Diane Elizabeth Reese from 457th Bomb Group Mission Documents. http://www.457thbombgroup.org/
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'.