400

8 June 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...

Description

Mission #7 - Bombed the railway yards in Tours, France. Long ride (7 hours).

Mission Details

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 13 T

Description: BOMB TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 26 T

ANGERS (Primary)

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 55 T

ANGERS/ST LAUD (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 72 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 54 T

Description: BRIDGE

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 122 T

CINQ MARS (Primary)

Description: BRIDGE

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 123 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 15 T

GRANDVILLE (Opportunistic)

Description: HARBOUR INSTALLATION

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 116 T

Description: AIRFIELD

Notes: 1,178 bombers participate in this mission supported by 1,353 fighter sorties against communications in France to isolate German forward elements. The bombers concentrate on Luftwaffe airfields. Cloud conditions continue to hamper visual bombing and 400+ bombers are prevented from dropping their bombs. 1st Bomb Division was made up of 1CBW is 91st Bomb Group, 381st BG, 398th BG; 40CBW is 92nd BG, 305th BG, 306th BG; 41CBW is 303rd BG, 379th BG, 384th BG; 94CBW is 351st BG, 401st BG, 457th BG. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 4CBW is 94th BG, 447th BG; 13CBW is 95th Bomb Group, 100th BG, 390th BG; 45CBW is 96th Bomb Group, 388th BG, 452nd BG; 93CBW is 385th BG.

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 182 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 61 T

LE MANS/ARNAGE (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 35 T

MELUN

Description: BRIDGE

Notes: 458th Bomb Group attack using AZON is foiled by cloud cover.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 0.00

NANTES (Primary)

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 67 T

NANTES (Primary)

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 94 T

ORLEANS (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 110 T

ORLEANS/LES AUBRAIS (Primary)

Description: MARSHALLING YARDS

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress

Notes: 457th BG - MISSION NO. 62 - ETAMPES, FRANCE 8 JUNE, 1944 The 457th sent a complete Combat Wing of three 12- aircraft boxes to destroy the double railroad intersection at Etampes, thirty miles south of Pans on the main rail line from Orleans to Tours. Major Leroy Watson was Air Commander with Lt. Edward B. Dozier as pilot. Captain J. L. Smith was Commander of the low box, and Mark R. Belcher was pilot, and Major George A. Beere was Commander of the high box with Captain William L. Gibbons as pilot. There was a complete undercast over the target area. As no PFF equipment was available, the planned attack on Etampes was abandoned. After searching for targets of opportunity until several aircraft were low on fuel, the formation returned to the Base without bombing. No enemy fighter opposition was encountered; however, several craft sustained battle damage due to flak. The sky was clear over the Channel and the Group had an excellent view of the many ships, from battleships to barges, that filled the Channel. Near Cherbourg a battleship was shelling the Coast.

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 202 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 35 T

PONTAUBAULT (Primary)

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Notes: 2nd Bomb Division was made up of 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing is 389th Bomb Group, 445th Bomb Group, 453rd Bomb Group; 14CBW is 44th Bomb Group, 392nd Bomb Group, 492nd Bomb Group; 20CBW is 93rd Bomb Group, 446th Bomb Group, 448th Bomb Group; 95CBW is 489th Bomb Group, 491st Bomb Group; 96CBW is 458th Bomb Group, 466th Bomb Group, 4567th Bomb Group; 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 4CBW is 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group; 93CBW is 490CBW, 493CBW. The 3rd Bomb Division, 93CBW, 34th Bomb Group stood down.

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

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 199 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 21 T

RENNES (Opportunistic)

Description: BRIDGE

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 63 T

RENNES (Opportunistic)

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 4 T

RENNES (Primary)

Description: AIRFIELD

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 81 T

Description: TRANSPORTATION TARGET

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 120 T

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: 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: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35727131
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner/Tail Gunner
  • 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: 446th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-434690
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Operations Officer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 578th 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: Swiss Miss
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th 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: Little Kenny
  • Unit: 544th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group

Revisions

Date
Contributorcmckeever
Changes
Sources

Daughter - Carol Rollinger McKeever

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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