395

6 June 1944
media-38797.jpeg UPL 38797 The Military Service Record for Philip G. Rodgers Showing His Completion Of 30 Missions As Well As The Awards He Received

Associated missions

Object Number - UPL 38797 - The Military Service Record for Philip G. Rodgers Showing His Completion Of 30 Missions As Well As The Awards He Received

Official Description

Eighth reaches its top strength as 493d Bomb Group (H) becomes operational, making a total of 40 Heavy Bomber Groups now operational. Heavy Bombers fly 4 missions in spite of the invasion of Normandy.



The third mission is dispatched against the important communications center of Caen. 56 B-24’s bomb through overcast skies.



Transportation chokepoints in towns immediately S and E of assault area are the objectives of the fourth mission for the Eighth. 553 HBs bomb targets including Vire, Saint- Lo, Coutances, Falaise, Lisieux, Thury-Harcourt, Pont-l’Eveque, Argentan, and Conde-sur-Noireau. In all, 1,729 HBs of Eighth AF drop 3,596 tons of bombs during D-Day, suffering only 3 losses (to ground fire and a collision).

Description

D-Day. Start of Operation Overlord.

Mission Details

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

ARGENTAN

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

CAEN (Primary)

Description: COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Notes: The 2nd Bomb Division was made up of all 2nd Bomb Division Bomb Groups.

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: 157 T

CONDE-SUR-NOIREAU

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

COUTANCES

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

FALAISE

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

LISIEUX

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS.

Notes: These attacks were made in the afternoon. Transportation chokepoints South and East of the assault area are targeted. D-Day : Everyone knew that "The Invasion" would be soon and everyone was ready to get going with it. It was one of those moments that one knew was going to be momentous even before it happen and everyone wanted to be a part of it. The 388th BG's part was chosen to lead the entire 8th Air Force that day.

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
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
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
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: 1,490 T

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

SAINT LO

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

THURY-HARCOURT

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

VIRE

Description: HIGHWAY ROAD JUNCTIONS

Connections

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People

1 LT Franklin D Abbott, Jr
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-663450
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36215923 / O-692248
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 06966455
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18216616
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 615th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (4Z-V+) nicknamed "Wolves Inc." of the 791st Bomb Squadron, 467th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '467th B.G., 4Z-V+.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Wolves Inc.
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 789th Bomb Squadron 791st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Diana Queen Of The Chase
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
An airman of the 95th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-102447) nicknamed "El's Belles". First handwritten caption on reverse: 'F/L on last of 365's bases in Belgium other side "Angels Sister" [name struck-out and annotated 'No'] 365 FG C Johnson/icm/75' Second handwritten caption on reverse: 'BG-A 95 BG.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: El's Belles
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lucky Lady : Screaming Eagle
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 335th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Inside Man

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

USAAF Combat Chronology.

Date
Changes
Sources

Information sent by Dick Read relating to Arthur M. Read and the 388th Bomb Group.

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'.

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