472
14 July 1944
Original map now in the collection of the Museum of the US Air Force, Dayton, Ohio. 447th Bomb Group collection
Timothy Motz
Object Number - UPL 23852 - Harold Motz, navigator in the Westrope crew, 708th squadron, 447th bomb group, summer and autumn of 1944. Navigation map of Eighth Air Force mission...
Mission Details
NORMANDY
Description: SUPPLY DROP TO FRENCH FORCES
Notes: OPERATION CADILLAC - 55th fighter group is converted from P-38s to P-51s, this gives the 8 AF a majority of P-51 groups to provide escort on long-range high-altitude missions. Conversion to P-51s by fighter groups will continue until the end of the war until every fighter group except one is converted. The bombers drop 3,700 containers of supplies to interior French forces. A mix of 465 P-47s and P-51s accompany the mission. Exact mix not determined from available data. Many of the supplies were packaged in small canisters, fourteen to sixteen inches long, these contained a folded up Sten gun and several clips of ammo. The Americans loading the canisters also include packages of American cigarettes. ___________________________________________________________________________ The 3rd Air Division was dispatched to France on a special mission in support of the French Maquis. All aircraft were loaded with C-3 type bombs. The 388th Bomb Group furnished three 12 aircraft Groups which composed the 45th C Combat Wing. Our 36 aircraft were airborne between 0340 and 0423 hours and there were no abortions. Some difficulty was encountered in forming due to darkness; after which, the briefed route to and from the target was followed. The target area was clear and the briefed recognition signals were easily recognized. Bombs were away from the prescribed altitude as follows: A Group at 0920 hours on a heading of 15 degrees. B Group at 0930 hours on a heading of 360 degrees and the C Group at 0932 hours on a heading of 345 degrees. Strike photos show excellent results for all Groups. No enemy fighters or flak was seen on this mission. Our aircraft returned to base at 1338 hours. (From 'The 388th At War' by Ed Huntzinger). __________________________________________________________________________
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: NA
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: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35652655
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38002619
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 391st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
- Role/Job: Photographic Chief
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12121223 / O-815498
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Due Back
- Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Ole Worrybird
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Midge
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- 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: Ready Freddie
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
Information sent by Dick Read relating to Arthur M. Read and the 388th Bomb Group. (From 'The 388th At War' by Ed Huntzinger).
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'.