Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Description: HARBOUR INSTALLATION

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

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 .

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