455

6 July 1944
Nine men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a Air Force bomber plane.  Four men standing in rear and five men kneeling in front UPL 65551 UPL 65551 Bowman Crew, 859th BS, 492nd BG. Back row, left to right: Vernon Rood, Bombardier; Jock, Pilotage Navigator; William Kriegel, Navigator; James Bowman, Pilot. Front row, left to right: James Green, Engineer; Everett Newton, Waist Gunner; Howard Garrett, Radio Operator; August Bonkowski, Ball Turret Gunner; William Ryan, Waist Gunner. The Bowman Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They were assigned to the 859th BS, designated as Crew 914. 1st Lt James Bowman signed out for a B-24J, 44-40139. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Perhaps the crew came closest to death during a training exercise on the evening of 30 Jun 44 as they were practicing night flying formations. Bowman's leader signaled for him to peel off and land. However, he was directed to the wrong base which had a short runway. No one was hurt when the plane ran off the end of the landing strip, however the plane was damaged beyond repair.
On

Object Number - UPL 65551 - Bowman Crew, 859th BS, 492nd BG. Back row, left to right: Vernon Rood, Bombardier; Jock, Pilotage Navigator; William Kriegel, Navigator; James...

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 3 T

KIEL (Primary)

Description: HARBOUR INSTALLATION

Notes: This is the first attack on Kiel since 22-May-44.

The insignia of the 392nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Personnel of the 458th Bomb Group gather around a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29303) nicknamed "Liberty Lib" in order to transfer a casualty into a waiting ambulance. Image via Harry Holmes. Written on slide casing: '458th BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Unofficial emblem of the 467th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 658.7 T

PAS-DE-CALAIS (Primary)

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 18 V-Weapon sites are targeted. 457th BG - MISSION NO. 81 - BERTREVILLE ST. OUEN, FRANCE - 6 JULY, 1944 During the period of bad weather between 29 June and 5 July, the tempo of V-1s (pilotless aircraft bombs) falling on London increased markedly. It was deemed necessary to use American heavy bombers in large scale attacks on their French bases in order to alleviate the destruction. The RAF Bomber Command could send only 550 bombers against such bases. The Eighth Air Force dispatched 900 four-engined heavy bombers for this purpose in two operations. The 457th Group was directed to supply thirty-six planes to comprise the entire 94th A Combat Wing and attack the supply site at Bertreville St. Ouen. This target was one of the eight identified sites providing pilotless aircraft components to the various launching sites in the Dunkerque/Rouen area. The small French hamlet in which it was located was situated about eight miles south of Dieppe. Lt. Colonel Hoffman was Commander, with Captain Clarence E. Schuchmann as pilot. Captain Lady and Lt. Johnston led the low A and high A boxes. The English Coast was crossed and over the Channel the three boxes took bombing intervals, entering France midway between Dieppe and Fecamp. Two engines went out on Lt. Morris H. Shuff's plane, lead of the high squadron in the high box. He left the formation and was followed by his two wing men. They dropped their bombs on the coastal airport of St. Valery-en-Caux and returned home. At the IP, there were no clouds and visibility extended thirty miles. The target was extremely difficult to locate as the few houses with their orchards and village crossroads were similar to dozens of others in the same area. The lead box dropped bombs with poor results. 457th BG - MISSION NO. 82 - RENNESCURE, FRANCE - 6 JULY, 1944 The second operation of the day found the 457th returning to the No Ball Coast with 268 other Eighth Air Force Bombers. Again the target was one of the eight known supply sites. It was located at the village ofRennescure on the St. Omer-Hazebroock railway five miles east of St. Omer. The 457th was the third of three distinct 12-plane forces of the 94th Wing dispatched on this target. There was a late afternoon takeoff. Captain Mark R. Belcher was Commander of the formation and Lt. Brackley was pilot. The cloud conditions were unchanged from those existing on the morning mission. The target had just been hit by the A and B forces earlier in the day and was partially covered with smoke. In spite of this hindrance, the bombs hit squarely on the supply site from 25,000 feet. There was a meager amount of flak, causing no damage, and no enemy fighter opposition was encountered. The low and high boxes were positioned to the left of the target. They attempted a bomb run, but the distance was too short. A 360 degree turn was then made. Both boxes dropped on the same target with fair results. Enemy air and ground opposition were nil .

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
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
Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 1785.5 T

PAS-DE-CALAIS (Primary)

Description: V-1 MISSILE SITES

Notes: 2nd Bomb Division was made up of 93rd Bomb Group, 389th Bomb Group, 445th Bomb Group, 446th Bomb Group, 448th Bomb Group, 453rd 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
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

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: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron 801st Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-564743
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • 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

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: Down N Go
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 614th 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: Heaven's Above/Panhandle Kid
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Swiss Miss
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th 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
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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