5 February 1944
"Smoke rises from exploding bombs which have hit their targets on an enemy airdrome in Avord, France, During a bombing raid by USAAF bombers on 5 Feb 1944."
Certificate showing the 33 Missions completed by Capt. William M. Bryan Jr of the 93rd Bomb Group
Page 143 of the 401st Bomb Group unit history. Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations). Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.
Page 144 of the 401st Bomb Group unit history. Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations). Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.
Page 145 of the 401st Bomb Group unit history. Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe but before they were redeployed out of the ETO (European Theater of Operations). Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of the unit’s time based in the UK. They include photo montages showing different aspects of base life. Often the servicemen in the photos are unnamed. The American Air Museum hopes that by adding unit histories to the website as individual pages, the men in the photos will be identified and associated to their person entries. Many included lists of personnel and a mailing address, providing a means for servicemen to keep in contact with each other after the war. These lists are now incredibly useful records of where US airmen in England in 1945 called their home.
"Bombing of Avord Airfield in France."
"Bombing of Avord Airfield in France."
"Bombing of Avord Airfield, France."
"Bombs continue to fall toward the airfield at Avord, France, as smoke pours upward from burning planes and installations during a mission by planes of the 92nd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force On 28 April 1944."
"Four large hangars and a workshop, all neatly aligned at the Avord airfield near Bourges in occupied France were damaged by direct hits from heavy bombers of the U.S. Army 8th Air Force. Note bomb craters dotting the area."
Not yet known
German airfield in France are the targets for this mission. All three Bomb Divisions despatch aircraft. The combined bomber gunner's claims of all three Bomb Divisions were 5-0-5 (displayed with Chateauroux element of 1BD). Summary as follows:
1st Bomb Division: The B-17s of this Bomb Division are divided into two elements. The first element is a combinded force of 103 B-17s from: 91BG; 351BG; 381BG; and 401BG despatched to bomb the German airfields of Chateauroux/Martinerie and Avord. 50 aircraft are effective on Chateauroux/Martinerie and 1 aircraft bombs at Villacoublay as a Target of Last Resort. No aircraft are lost to enemy action but 1 is Damaged Beyond Repair in a crash landing upon return - 10RTD. 11 returning aircraft sustain battle damage. 1 airman aboard a returning aircraft is KIA and 10 others in returning aircraft are WIA. 50 aircraft are effective on the German airfield at Avord, France. There are no casualties or aircraft losses in this element, but 1 aircraft is damaged. Bomber gunner claims on enemy aircraft of 5-0-5 are displayed under this element.
The second element of 1st Bomb Division's despatch is a combined force of 121 B-17s from: 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 379BG and 384BG to bomb the German airfields at Chateaudun and Orleans/Bricy, France. 61 aircraft are effective on Chateaudun. There are no losses or claims in this element. 60 aircraft are effective on Orleans/Bricy. There are no losses or claims in this element, but 1 aircraft is damaged.
2nd Bomb Division: A combined force of 103 B-24s are despatched from: 44BG; 93BG; 392BG; 445BG; and 453BG to bomb the German airfield at Tours/Parcay Meslay, France. This is the first combat mission for 453BG. 90 are effective on Tours/Parcay Meslay and 8 are effective on Chateudun as a Target of Last Resort. 2 aircraft of the Tours contingent Failed to Return (FTR) - 9KIA 11POW. 14 aircraft are damaged. 4 airmen in returning aircraft are WIA.
8 aircraft bomb the airfield at Chateaudun as a Target of Last Resort. The are no losses or claims in this element but 17 aircraft are damaged.
3rd Bomb Division: A combined force of 182 B-17s are despatched from: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG; and 452BG to bomb the German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, but the target was obscured by clouds so the formations attacked the German airfield at Villacoublay, France as their secondary target. This is the first combat mission for 452BG. 133 aircraft are effective on Villacoublay. There are no aircraft losses to enemy action, but 2 returning with battle damage make cracsh landings in England and are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 20RTD. 26 other aircraft are damaged. 1 airman aboard a returning aircraft is WIA.
AIRFIELD
B-17 Flying Fortress
Second part of 1st Bomb Division force, 50 B-17s attack the airfield at Avord, France.
Group
The 351st Bomb Group flew strategic bombing missions from their base at Polebrook, Northamptonshire from April 1943 to June 1945. The Group's most famous member was Hollywood actor Clark Gable, who flew four/ five missions with them as an observer...
Group
The 381st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Ridgewell, Essex between June 1943 and April 1945. The Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for bombing shipyards at Bremen, whilst under heavy attack, on 8 October 1943 and...
Group
The 401st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deenethorpe, Northamptonshire, from November 1943 to June 1945. Starting their missions at that time meant the focus was very much on the coming invasion attempt of France planned for the following...
Group
The 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated at Harding Field, Louisiana on 15-April-1942 and went to MacDill Field, Florida for the first phase of training from 16-May-1942 to 25-June-1942. The Group was then assigned to 2nd Air Force at Walla...
| Tonnage dropped | 147.75 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 50 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 50 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 11 |
AIRFIELD - CHATEAUDUN (last resort)
B-24 Liberator
First mission for 453rd Bomb Group.
Group
The 392nd Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators out of Wendling, Norfolk from August 1943 until April 1945. They were the first Group allocated B-24H Liberators, the first B-24 series fitted with a nose turret on the production line. The adaptation increased...
Group
The 445th Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators from Tibenham, Norfolk. The crews' first mission was bombing U-boat installations at Kiel on 13 December 1943. The Group continued to hit strategic targets in Germany, including the aircraft components factory...
Group
The 446th Bomb Group, who came to be known as "the Bungay Buckaroos" after the name of their Suffolk base, flew B-24 Liberators on strategic, support and interdictory missions over Europe. The Group led the Eighth Air Force and 2nd Bomb Division on the...
Group
The 448th Bombardment Group was organized on 6 April 1943 and activated on 1 May 1943 at Gowen Field, near Boise, Idaho. The initial training of the air crews took place in Florida. The entire group was assembled Wendover Field, Utah. Both air and...
Group
The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 15-January-1942 at McDill Field, Florida and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana and acted as a training unit for the 90th 93rd and 98th Bomb Groups and flew anti...
Group
As well as strategic bombardment missions, the 453rd Bomb Group also ferried cargo on two occasions. They hauled petrol, blankets, and rations to France in September 1944 and dropped ammunition, food and medical supplies near Wesel during the airborne...
Group
The 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 1 Mar 42 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. On 15 May 42. the Group moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, to continue advanced flight training and also to fly antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico. They...
| Tonnage dropped | 261.25 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 103 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 90 |
| Number of aircraft Missing In Action | 1 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 31 |
| Number of people Wounded in Action | 4 |
| Number of people Prisoners of War | 10 |
AIRFIELD
B-17 Flying Fortress
Third part of 1st Bomb Division force, 61 B-17s attack Chateaudun AF
Group
The 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3-Feb-1942 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. They assembled at Gowen Field, Idaho on 11-February 1942 where it conducted flight training until 12-Jun-1942. The Group then moved to Alamogordo Field, New...
Group
The 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), nicknamed "Can Do" was activated 1-March-1942 at Salt Lake City Air Base, Utah which was their primary training base until 11-Jun-1942 when they relocated to Geiger Field, Washington until 29-Jun-1942, then on to...
Group
Constituted as 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 1 Mar 1942. Trained for combat with B-17's. Moved to England, Aug-Sep 1942, and assigned to Eighth AF Eighth Air Force in September 1942 Station 111 Thurleigh. During combat,...
Group
The 379th Bomb Group (H) (heavy), based at Kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other Group. The B-17 Flying Fortress Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit...
Group
The 384th Bomb Group flew B-17s from Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, between May 1943 and June 1945. They were engaged in daylight bombing missions over Germany as part of the Allies' efforts to destroy the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe by...
Group
The 92nd Group sometime after arrivial in the UK converted to the role of in-theater combat crew indocrination and training. For this role, the Group traded its B-17F complement and obtained the B-17E, mostly from the 97th BG which was departing for...
| Tonnage dropped | 183.00 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 61 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 61 |
AIRFIELD
B-17 Flying Fortress
1st Bomb Division is split between Chateauroux (P), Chateaudun (P), Avord (P) and Orelans/Bricy (P)
Group
The 351st Bomb Group flew strategic bombing missions from their base at Polebrook, Northamptonshire from April 1943 to June 1945. The Group's most famous member was Hollywood actor Clark Gable, who flew four/ five missions with them as an observer...
Group
The 381st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Ridgewell, Essex between June 1943 and April 1945. The Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for bombing shipyards at Bremen, whilst under heavy attack, on 8 October 1943 and...
Group
The 401st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deenethorpe, Northamptonshire, from November 1943 to June 1945. Starting their missions at that time meant the focus was very much on the coming invasion attempt of France planned for the following...
Group
The 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated at Harding Field, Louisiana on 15-April-1942 and went to MacDill Field, Florida for the first phase of training from 16-May-1942 to 25-June-1942. The Group was then assigned to 2nd Air Force at Walla...
| Tonnage dropped | 147.75 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 52 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 50 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 12 |
| Number of people Killed In Action | 1 |
| Number of people Wounded in Action | 10 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Destroyed by Bomber Command | 5 |
| Enemy aircraft claimed as Damaged by Bomber Command | 5 |
AIRFIELD
B-17 Flying Fortress
One 3rd Bomb Division aircraft attacks this airfield as a target of last resort.
| Tonnage dropped | 2.76 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 1 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 1 |
AIRFIELD
B-17 Flying Fortress
Fourth part of 1st Bomb Division force, 60 B-17s attack Orleans/ Bricy AF
| Tonnage dropped | 169.00 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 60 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 60 |
AIRFIELD
Not yet known
8 B-24s drop bombs on Tours/Parcay Meslay airfield.
| Tonnage dropped | 24.00 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 8 |
| Number of aircraft Missing In Action | 1 |
| Number of people Killed In Action | 9 |
| Number of people Prisoners of War | 1 |
AIRFIELD
B-17 Flying Fortress
This 1st Bomb Division aircraft as a last resort, joined 3rd Bomb Division force in attack on Villacoublay (S)
| Tonnage dropped | 2.96 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 2 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 2 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair | 2 |
| Number of people Returned To Duty | 20 |
AIRFIELD
B-17 Flying Fortress
First mission for 452nd Bomb Group. 447th Bomb Group was late and aborted the mission just over the French coast.
Group
"The Bloody Hundredth", so-called because of a reputation for losing a high number aircraft and crews, flew B-17s from Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk. Their losses were not the highest of any Eighth Air Force Group but on several occasions the Group lost many...
Group
The 385th Bomb Group, who took the nickname "Van's Valiants" after their first Commanding Officer Col. Elliot Vandevanter, flew B-17s from Great Ashfield, Suffolk. The Group led the famous attack on the Focke-Wolfe aircraft factory at Marienburg on 9...
Group
The 388th Bomb Group flew strategic bombing mission from Knettishall, Suffolk from June 1943 to the end of the war. During this time, though, detachments were sent to Fersfield, Norfolk to conduct Aphrodite missions. In these Aphrodite missions veteran...
Group
The 390th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Framlingham, Suffolk, between July 1943 and the end of the war in Europe. The Group was engaged in strategic missions until the invasion of Europe when its role became more of a tactical one. This...
Group
The 452nd Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deopham Green, Norfolk, from January 1944. The air crews hit strategic sites in Germany but also supported the movement of ground forces across Europe after D-Day. On 6 June 1944 itself, the Group...
Group
Activated 15 June 1942 at MacDill Field, Florida. Initial organization and training at Pendleton Field, Oregon on 29 June 1942. Primary flight training at Davis-Monthan Field in Arizona from 28 Aug. 42 to 31 Oct. 42; then at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas...
Group
The 95th Bomb Group was the only Eighth Air Force Group to be awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations. The first, shared by all four Bomb Wing Groups, was for the bombing of an aircraft factory under intense enemy fire at Regensburg on 17 August...
Group
The 96th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses to targets across occupied Europe from May 1943 to April 1945.
...
| Tonnage dropped | 367.21 |
| Number of aircraft Sent | 181 |
| Number of aircraft Effective | 133 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged Beyond Repair | 2 |
| Number of aircraft Damaged | 26 |
Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 452nd Bomb Group
Shot down by fighters on a mission to Erkner, Berlin on 8 Mar 1944 in B-17G #42-37954 'Hank from Dixie'. Killed in Action (KIA).
PH
Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 401st Bomb Group
Assigned to 615BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. On 27-Jan-44, while taxiing after landing from a training flight, the landing gear switch of B-17 42-31414 was placed in the up position instead of the flap switch. RTD.
...
Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 95th Bomb Group
Damaged by fighter attacks on the return from a mission to Klein Machow, Berlin on 6 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-31299 'Junior' maintained formation until finally crashing NW of Beilen, Holland after the crew baled out. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Military | Staff Sergeant | Togglier, Waist Gunner | 401st Bomb Group
Assigned to 612BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. Don Currie crew. 38 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (1 x Battle Star).
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 401st Bomb Group
T/Sgt Martin A. Anderson flew 34 missions, from 02/05/1944, mission #21, to 03/31/1945, mission #240. He served as a Radio Operator. He survived until the end of the war. Flew aircrafts 42-31521 'Badland Bat'
DFC
Military | Major | Bombardier | 401st Bomb Group
Assigned to 615BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. 23 x combat missions. Clyde Lewis crew.
Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (5OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).
Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 384th Bomb Group
Shot down by flak burst and crashed N of St Pol, FR on a mission to Wizernes, FR on 19 Mar 1944 in B-17G #42-31926 'Lovell's Hovel'. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Flight Engineer | 384th Bomb Group
B-17F #42-29717 'Mr. Five By Five' was last seen with one engine feathered and heading towards Switzerland on a mission to Stuttgart, GR on 25 Feb 1944. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 95th Bomb Group
After fighter attacks set fire to the left wing on a mission to Klein Machnow, Berlin on 6 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-38024 crashed near Oldenburg, GR after the crew baled out. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Military | Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade) | Radio Operator | 388th Bomb Group
B-17 Flying Fortress
Assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-G] Presque Is 27/11/42; Molesworth 13/12/42; Returned to the USA 2/7/44; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Arledge 22/11/44. IZA VAILABLE.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 29/4/43; Sioux City 14/5/43; Smoky Hill 11/6/43; Dow Fd 16/6/43; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 17/6/43; transferred Aphrodite project, Missing in Action V-sites, Watten 6/8/44 with Lt Joeseph P Andrecheck & T/Sgt Raymond Healy (2...
B-17 Flying Fortress
This was the only original aircraft of the 401st BG to return to the USA after the war. The aircraft was named after Lt. Bryan Shotts' Wife "Betty Jean Shotts".
...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 16/9/43; Scott 21/10/43; Assigned 612BS/401BG [SC-A] Deenethorpe 26/10/43; transferred 615BS [IY-A]; Missing in Action Munster 30/9/44 with Tom Davis, Co-pilot: Alan Newcomb, Navigator: Herb Corwin, Bombardier: Henry Kaczorowski,...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 26/10/43; Gr Island 13/11/43; Romulus 25/11/43; Assigned 614BS/401BG [IW-K] Deenethorpe 14/1/44; Missing in Action Brandenburg 6/8/44 with John Sauerwald, Co-pilot: John Zimmerman, Navigator: Forrest Holmstrom, Bombardier: Cletus...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 27/10/43; Assigned 613BS/401BG [IN-B] Deenethorpe 14/1/44; Missing in Action Poix, Fr. 13/3/44 with George Hellmuth, Jim Hannon, Bob Wagner, Gordon Brandt, Francis Allen (5 Killed in Action); Ray Gipson, Jim Coventry, Jim Bailey,...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 8/11/43; Gt Falls 11/11/43; Kearney 28/11/43; Romulus 4/12/43; Bangor 5/12/43; Assigned 614BS/401BG [IW-D] Deenethorpe 2/1/44; Missing in Action Berlin 8/3/44 with Dale Peterson, Co-pilot: George Morse, Navigator: Harley Honeberger,...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Denver 16/11/43; Kearney 3/12/43; Presque Is 9/12/43; Assigned 612BS/401BG [SC-D] Deenethorpe 1/1/44; Missing in Action Evere A/fd 10/4/44 with Gaston Fox, Co-pilot: Francis Hoad, Navigator: Darrel Wilson, Bombardier: Leon Mendelson, Ball...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Denver 17/11/43; Kearney 3/12/43; Cincinnati 9/12/43; Rome 11/12/43; Presque Is 14/12/43; Assigned 615BS/401BG [IY-G] Deenethorpe 1/2/44; Missing in Action Leipzig 20/2/44 with Ed Gardner`found Pilz, near Gommern – bailed too low, 12/3/44`...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Denver 16/11/43; Gt Falls 25/11/43; Kearney 17/12/43; Romulus 9/1/44; Presque Is 13/1/44; Assigned 615BS/401BG [IY-M] Deenethorpe 1/2/44; Missing in Action Berlin 29/4/44 with Capt George Gould, Co-pilot: Frank Linc, Navigator: Bob Lotz,...
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 26 May 2018 17:36:01 | Al_Skiff | Changes to media associations |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 01 February 2016 22:04:53 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016 Added Bomber Gunner claims on enemy aircraft to Chateauroux element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 01 February 2016 21:55:03 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Unit connections to Avord element and correct # AC damaged per "The Mighty Eight War Dairy", Roger A. Freman. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 01 February 2016 21:51:12 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to name and description |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diray", Roger A. Freeman. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 10 August 2015 10:46:53 | Lucy May | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Moved the mission pin for Event 6, listed as 'ORLEANS/BRICE', to Orleans/Bricy, France. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 10 August 2015 10:44:27 | Lucy May | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Moved the mission pin for Event 2, listed as 'CHATEAUDUN (last resort)', to Châteaudun Airfield, France. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 10 August 2015 10:37:15 | Lucy May | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
Moved the mission pin for Event 3, listed as 'CHATEAUDUN', to Châteaudun Airfield, France. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 08 August 2015 10:08:19 | grandcharles | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
the name of the airport is orleans/bricy (not brice) |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 28 May 2015 10:25:22 | jdossetter | Changes to event |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:43:17 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| 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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